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LJ!itHMiMiMMMfetaaittMiMi^«Ui*i 


tei^ikHAiU«iaA^Mi<£iM*HMMSaiiii 


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KEVELATIONS 


OF 


S  I  B  E  E  I  A. 


BY   A   BANISHED    LADY. 


EDITED   BY 

COLONEL     LACH     SZYRMA. 


IX    TWO    VOLUMES. 
VOL.    I. 


^I)irt(    C-tJitton.  ^^i^^^^ 


LONDON : 
HURST  AND  BLACKETT,  PUBLISHERS, 

STICCESSOES  TO  HENEY  COLBTJEX,  ^  ^  ^  .  _..^.--'-*-l 

13,  GREAT  MARLBORCftrGir'g'fREET,     .  .".^.'j    |3'V  \ 

1854.  i         n?:':'^VClVAT^OM         \ 


M.  S.  MYERS,    PRINTER, 
22,  TAVISTOCK    STREET,  COVEST    GARDEN. 


TO 

LORD    DUDLEY    STUART,    M.P., 

kc.  ice, 

WHOSE    GENEUOUS    SrHrATHY 

WITH    THE    EXPATRIATED    AND    OPPBESSKD,  HAS    ENSHRIXED 

HIS  NAME    INDELIBLY 

IN    THE    MEMOKY    OF    ALL    NATIONS, 

itliPSf    'iiuliiiiirs 

AKE     UUilBLY     INSCIUDED 
BY    HIS    MOST   DEVOTED    ADMIKEK, 

THE   EDITOR. 


INTEODUCTION. 


The  subject  of  the  present  work  is 
Siberia  ;  a  region  cb'eary  by  nature,  and 
not  only  in  name  synonymous,  but  actually 
identical  with  a  vast  prison — a  locality  asso- 
ciated in  our  minds  with  the  most  poignant 
of  human  sufferings.  As  such,  it  could 
only  be  properly  described  under  the  influ- 
ence of  those  painful  impressions,  and  while 
the  writer  is  wi'ithing  under  the  most  acute 
mental  agony. 

The  Authoress  of  the  present  "  Eeve- 
lations"  was  one  of  the  numerous  exiles  who 


VI  INTRODUCTION. 


are  yearly  sent  to  that  desolate  wildeniess. 
She  was  a  lady  of  quality,  and  had  the  mis- 
fortune to  incui'  the  displeasm^e  of  the 
Eussian  Government,  and,  in  consequence, 
was  included  in  the  class  of  the  nestchastri 
ludij  or  "  unfortunates,"  as  the  exiles,  in  pity 
for  their  hard  lot,  are  called  by  the  people. 

With  regard  to  her  personal  history,  we 
need  only  say  that  she  is  well  knoAvii  in  her 
own  country— a  lady  by  birth  and  position 
in  society — a  wife  and  mother,  torn  from 
her  happy  home.  Her  name  is  Eva  Felinska, 
a  name  not  less  noble,  than  honourably  dis- 
tinguished in  Polish  literature.  Her  hus- 
band's eldest  brother,  who  died  some  years 
since,  was  ranked  among  the  most  eminent 
Polish  wi'iters  and  poets.  One  of  his  best 
and  most  popular  productions  was  the  tragedy, 
named  after  "Barbara  Ead^iwill,"  the  con- 
sort of  King  Sigismimdus  Augustus,  supposed 
to  have  been  poisoned  by  her  step-mother 
Queen  Bona. 

Eespectable  by  her  family  connexions,  and 
a   gentlewoman  of  a  cultivated   mind,  she 


INTRODUCTION.  VU 

could  not  but  suffer  the  more  bitterly,  when 
torn  on  a  sudden  from  her  domestic  hearth  • 
and  the  bosom  of  civilized  society,  and 
carried  off  to  the  wilds  of  Siberia.  Here, 
among  a  barbarous  population,  her  very 
habits  of  refinement,  as  may  be  conceived, 
rendered  her  position  more  difficult  and 
unendurable. 

As  for  her  crime,  it  was  that  which  the 
noblest  and  most  exalted  minds  of  every 
nation  have  ever  been  proud  to  commit — 
namely,  the  crime  of  patriotism.  By  her 
birth,  descent,  and  education,  a  Pole,  she 
could  not  but  feel  deeply  for  her  fallen 
country  and  its  oppressed  people.  Possessed 
of  landed  property,  she  established  schools  in 
the  villages  for  the  education  of  the  serfs, 
and  treated  them  with  more  than  usual 
humanity — conduct  that  made  her  suspected 
by  the  Eussian  Government,  which  suffers 
no  educational  establishments,  but  those  that 
are  sanctioned  and  carried  on  according  to 
its  own  regulations.  In  addition  to  this, 
another  incident  seems  to  have  rendered  her 


VIU  INTEODTJCTION. 

obnoxious  to  tlie  Government.  In  the  year 
1837,  some  emissaries  from  abroad  made 
tbeir  appearance  in  Eussia,  for  the  purpose, 
as  was  stated  by  the  agents  of  the  secret 
police,  of  bringing  about  a  new  insurrection 
in  the  Polish  provinces.  In  this  conspii'acy 
a  great  number  of  the  first  families  in 
Lithuania,  Volhynia,  and  other  provinces 
joined,  and  among  them  was  our  authoress  ; 
but  in  what  manner  and  to  what  extent  she 
was  compromised,  is  not  known,  such  matters 
never  being  di\^ilged  in  Eussia.  To  afford 
temporary  shelter  to  the  emissary  on  his 
passage,  or  simply  to  receive  a  letter  from 
him,  or  fr-om  those  who  have  been  in  con- 
nexion with  him ;  or  the  casual  knowledge 
of  a  vague  rumour  of  what  may  have  occuiTcd 
in  some  locality,  and  not  reporting  it  to  the 
authorities,  suffices  to  implicate  any  one  as 
an  accomplice  in  plotting  against  the  safety 
of  the  State. 

The  dungeons  of  the  citadel  of  Warsaw, 
and  those  at  Wilna  and  Kiev,  were  at  that 
period  crammed  with  these  unhappy  victims 


IXTEODLTTIOX.  IX 

of  suspicion.  Our  Authoress,  and  other  ladies 
similarly  compromised,  were  sent  to  a  convent 
of  Eussian  nuns  at  Kiov,  where  they  remain- 
ed many  months,  undergoing  the  most  rigorous 
discipline  that  a  fanatical  sisterhood,  especially 
if  authorized  by  the  Government,  can  inflict 
on  our  sex.  After  a  protracted  investigation 
conducted  with  a  barbarity  pecidiar  to  Rus- 
sian coui'ts,  the  whole  affair  ended,  by  two 

emissaries  who  had  anived  from  abroad — 
Konarski  and  Zawisza,  being  shot.  They 
were  both  young  men,  pupils  of  the  Univer- 
sity of  Warsaw.  The  rest  of  the  accomplices 
in  the  alleged  plot  were  sent  into  banish- 
ment to  Siberia,  and  had  their  estates  confis- 
cated. Their  lives  were  spared,  but  each  was 
subjected  to  the  penalty  of  a  death  long  cbawn 
out,  and  to  a  fate  from  which  all  human 
beings  shi'ink — death  far  from  home,  country, 
and  friends. 

Among  those  thus  banished  from  Kiov, 
was  our  Authoress,  together  A\ith  two  other 
gentlewomen-^one  an  elderly  matron ;  the 
other,  a  yoimg  lady  in  her  tenderest  age,  of 

a  3 


X  INTRODUCTION. 

a  delicate  frame,  impaired  by  pining  in  prison, 
but,  as  described  in  this  work,  of  a  most 
amiable  disposition,  capable  of  the  most  gene- 
rous devotedness. 

These  thi^ee  gentlewomen  had  to  make 
a  most  tedious  and  wearisome  journey,  dur- 
ing the  inclemency  of  a  Eussian  winter,  to 
Siberia.  On  arriving  at  Tobolsk,  they  met 
a  number  of  other  exiles,  their  acquaintances 
and  former  neighbours,  who  had  preceded 
them  thither — indeed  a  whole  colony  of  their 
coimtrymen,  who  had  been  exiled  at  differ- 
ent periods.  The  Emperor  Nicholas  appears, 
in  this  instance,  to  have  proved  faithful  to 
the  threat  pronounced  by  him  after  the  close 
of  the  Polish  war  of  1831,  that  he  would 
make  a  Siberia  of  Poland,  and  a  Poland  of 
Siberia. 

Prom  Tobolsk,  the  exiles  were  distributed 
in  accordance  with  the  supposed  culpability 
of  each,  among  the  different  penal  settlements 
in  Siberia.  The  guiltof  our  Authoress  appears 
to  have  beengreat  in  the  eyes  of  the  authori- 
ties, as  she  was  sentenced  to  be  sent  to  Bere_ 


INTRODUCTION.  XI 

zov,  a  town  in  the  farthest  north ;  while  the 
two  other  ladies,  companions  of  her  journey 
were  located  in  a  much  milder  climate  in  the 
south.  This  arrangement,  however,  did  not 
meet  the  views  of  the  youngest  lady,  who  had 
become  exceedingly  attached  to  her  friend ; 
and,  in  order  not  to  be  separated  from  her, 
she  besought  the  authorities  to  send  her  to 
Berezov ;  with  which  request,  though  not 
without  great  reluctance,  they  eventually 
complied. 

It  is  after  her  arrival  at  Berezov,  that  the 
remarks  of  the  Authoress  acquire  an  increas- 
ing degree  of  interest.  While  sojourning 
there  for  a  period  of  more  than  two  years, 
when  she  was  removed  to  another  settlement, 
nothing  escaped  her  penetrating  eye  in  her 
intercourse  with  the  inhabitants,  whether 
Russian  or  native.  She  describes  their  man- 
ner of  living,  their  hunting  and  fishing  expe- 
ditions, and  their  amusements  at  home ; 
their  religious  rites,  festivals,  popular  tradi- 
tions, and  prejudices  ;  their  articles  of  export 
and  import ;    their  trade,  and  the  mode  of 


Xll  INTRODUCTION. 

carrying  it  on  by  barter  ;  the  animals  of  the 
forest,  and  the  birds  of  the  air  ;  the  scanty 
vegetables  of  the  soil,  and  its  minerals  ;  the 
temperatiu-e,  and  the  phenomena  of  the  sky  ; 
in  a  manner  at  once  pleasant  and  instrnctive. 
There  is  throughont  a  certain  freshness  about 
her  observations  and  remarks ;  and  the  pic- 
ture she  draws  of  the  customs,  opinions,  and 
habits  of  savage  life,  as  contrasted  with  those 
of  our  civilized  communities,  will  be  perused 
with  peculiar  interest. 

Never  does  she  allow  a  single  murmui'  to 
escape  her  lips  against  the  author  of  her  ba- 
nishment. Of  the  Emperor  Nicholas,  not  a 
syllable  is  said  ;  his  name  occui's  but  once  in 
the  book,  and  then  is  mentioned  indirectly,  in 
connection  vnth  his  son  Alexander,  the  heir 
apparent.  Even  on  that  occasion,  there  is  no 
term  used  either  of  eulogy  or  disparagement. 
Neither  good  nor  bad  is  allowed  to  be  said  of 
the  reigning  family  of  Eussia.  This  she 
knew,  and  she  strictly  adhered  to  the  esta- 
blished rule.  Of  the  Government  measures, 
she  found  many  that  were  wisely  conceived. 


INTRODUCTION.  XUl 

tending  to  ameliorate  the  condition  of  the 
people  ;  but  she  could  not  at,  the  same  time, 
help  deploring  that  they  should  be  completely- 
nullified,  and  prevented  from  producing  any 
of  their  intended  results,  by  the  incapacity  of 
the  Eussian  officials,  and  especially  those  of 
the  inferior  grade.  Some  of  these,  whose 
flagrant  delinquencies  came  under  her  notice, 
she  does  not  scruple  to  denounce.  "With 
regard  to  the  higher  functionaries,  she  gives 
them  great  credit  for  intelligence  and  humanity. 
In  so  far,  the  book  may  be  considered  per- 
fectly impartial,  containing  nothing  to  excite 
the  susceptibilities  even  of  the  admu-ers  of 
the  Eussian  Government — if  any  can  be 
found  in  tliis  coimtry.  The  Polish  original 
issued  from  the  press  under  the  rigorous 
domination  of  the  imperial  censorship,  with- 
out the  sanction  of  Avhich  it  could  not  have 
been  printed ;  and  it  has  since — which  is 
rare  in  Eussia — passed  thi'ough  two  editions. 
It  is  altogether  a  useful  publication,  both  for 
the  native  and  foreign  reader ;  and  certainly 
it  is  creditable  to  the  censorsliip  in  Eussia, 


XIV  INTRODUCTION. 

that  permission  was  given  for  its  appearance. 
In  this  respect,  it  contrasts  most  favourably 
with  the  censorship  exercised  over  the  press 
by  other  continental  governments,  being  not 
only  indulgent,  but,  to  a  certain  extent, 
liberal;  and  if  the  same  spirit  is  followed 
up,  it  will  not  be  without  its  advantages. 

Still  the  Polish  original  cannot  be  said  to 
bear  no  marks  of  the  pen  of  the  censor. 
All  compositions  wiitten  under  constraint  are 
worded  with  caution  and  reservation,  and 
necessarily  contain  many  phrases  capable  of 
a  double  meaning.  These  can  scarcely  be 
perceived,  and  never  be  ftdly  comprehended, 
by  foreign  readers,  as  by  the  natives,  who, 
initiated  in  the  history  of  events,  can,  as  is 
commonly  said,  "  read  many  things  between 
the  lines."  Moreover,  in  some  cases,  many 
matters  have  been  but  lightly  touched  upon 
by  the  Authoress,  and  may  not  be  clear, 
while  others  are  so  novel  as  to  appear  scarcely 
credible. 

In  illustration,  therefore,  of  the  text,  as 
well  as  the  matter  contained  in  it,  the  Editor 


INTRODUCTION.  XV 

has  thought  fit  to  subjoin  some  annotations, 
for  which  (as  they  have  not  met  the  eye  of 
the  censorship,  and  might  perhaps  offend  the 
Eussian  Government)  he  alone,  and  not  the 
Authoress,  ought  to  be  held  responsible. 
The  Authoress  is  a  perfect  stranger  to  the 
Editor.  All  his  knowledge  of  her  is  derived 
solely  from  her  work,  and  he  has  never  had 
any  communication  with  her  whatever.  All 
he  has  been  able  to  leam  is  that  she  is  still 
living,  and  that,  after  her  return  from  exile, 
she  published  other  productions  of  her  pen  ; 
this  being  her  first  work.  "We  should  indeed  be 
extremely  grieved,  if  our  publication  of  her 
book  in  England  should  in  any  way  interfere 
with  her  peace  and  comfort,  and  should  not 
rather  be  an  encoiu-agement  to  her  to  resume 
her  pen,  for  the  benefit  of  her  country  and 
the  information  of  other  nations. 

The  Polish  original,  from  which  these 
volumes  have  been  translated,  comprises  a 
narrative  of  events  that  took  place  between 
the  years  1839  and  1841 ;  but,  owing  to  the 
delay  caused  by  the  long  exile  of  the  writer, 


XVI  INTRODUCTION. 

it  has  but  recently  left  the  press.  Still. 
delay  does  not  in  the  least  detract  from 
either  the  importance  or  novelty  of  the  work. 
Siberia  is  not  a  country  of  progress ;  trans- 
formation and  changes  are  not  effected  there 
with  the  same  rapidity  as  they  are  m  Western 
Europe ;  but  for  ages  everything  is  sta- 
tionary. Generation  after  generation  may  pass 
away,  but  the  opinions,  habits,  and  usages 
of  the  people  continue  immutable. 

Desolate  and  dismal,  unexplored  and  unex- 
plorable,  as  Siberia  may  be,  it  is  not,  as  will 
be  seen  by  this  work,  without  its  peculiar 
lineaments  of  sublimity,  amidst  all  its  dreari- 
ness and  solitudes  ;  and  a  day  will  come  when 
its  ice-bound  territories  will  be  opened  to 
civilization,  and  its  forests  vanish  before  the 
advances  of  fi-eedom.  We  cannot  conclude 
better  than  by  quoting  Sydney  Yendys'  lines 
on  the  Polar  regions  : 

"  The  earth,  is  rock — the  heaven 
The  dome  of  a  greater  palace  of  ice, 
Eliss-built.     Dull  light  distils  through  frozen  skies 
ickened  and  gross.     Cold  Fancy  droops  her  wings, 


INTRODUCTION.  XVU 

And  cannot  range.     In  winding-sheets  of  snow 

Lies  every  thought  of  any  pleasing  thing. 

I  have  forgotten  the  green  earth  ;  my  soul 

Deflowered,  and  lost  to  every  summer  hope, 

Sad  sitteth  on  an  iceberg  at  the  Pole  ; 

My  heart  assumes  the  landscape  of  mine  eyes. 

Moveless  and  white,  chill  blanched  with  hoarest  rime. 

The  sun  himself  is  heavy,  and  lacks  cheer ; 

Or  on  the  eastern  hill,  or  western  slope. 

The  world  without  seems  far  and  long  ago." 


CONTENTS 


OP 


THE    FIRST    VOLUME. 


CHAPTER  I. 


Journey  from  Kiov  to  Tobolsk — Departure — Prostration 
— Government  instructions — Tula — Veteran  soldier — 
Iron-works — Russian  currency — Murom  Forest — 
Nijny-Novgorod — Its  fair.  .  .  .1 


CHAPTER  II. 

Russian  fare— Companions  in  exile — Arrival  at  Kazan 
— Discomforts  at  lodgings — Visit  from  the  Police 
Director — Visit  from  a  Russian  matron — Recollec- 
tions of  Easter-day— Invitation  from  the  landlady- 
Obstacles  at  departure — Aspect  of  the  city — Variety 
of  races  —  Costumes  —  A  Tartar  chief  and  his 
wife      .  .  .  .  .  .     19 


XX  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  III. 

Perm  — New  villages — Ural  Mountains — Ekatarinburg — 
A  roguish,  innkeeper — Post-carts — Defects  of  female 
education — Tumen — A  national  relic — Tobolsk — Com- 
patriots in  exile — Devotedness  of  a  young  lady — De- 
parture — Inundation  —  Bronikov — Counter-order  to 
return.  .  .  .  .  .45 


CHAPTER  IV. 

Sojourn  at  Tobolsk — Lower  and  Upper  Town — Edifices 
— Interview  with  an  exiled  Colonel — Walks  on  the 
Irtish — Tobola — Public  garden — Yisit  from  the  exile 
— Advance  of  spring — Breaking  of  ice  on  the  Irtish 
— Argali  deer .  .  .  .  .68 

CHAPTER  V. 

Preparations  for  departure — Spring — The  Upper  Town 
— Ceyzik's  house — Prince  Gortchakoff — His  removal 
to  Omsk — Roman  Catholic  missions — A  real  solitude 
— Embarkation — Cabin — Farewells.     .  .82 


CHAPTER  YI. 

Journey  to  Berezov — Mournful  train  of  thoughts — 
Kutchum  Khan  and  Yermak— Steward — Passengers 
— Samovar — Boating — Perilous  adventure — Gale  of 
wind — Demiansk — Increase  of  cold — Expanse  of 
the  desert — Grandeur  of  primitive  nature.       .       98 


CONTENTS.  XXI 

CHAPTEH  VII. 

Confluence  of  the  Irtish  and  the  Oby — Lowland  and 
upland  plain — The  Tartar  and  the  Ostiak  boundary — 
Storm  —  Wild  Scenery  —  Stones  of  various  colours 
in  rivers  —  Kondisk  Monastery  —  Soswa  — Distant 
view  of  Berezov — Disembarkation — Aspect  of  the 
town  .....       117 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

The  bay — Lodgings — "Want  of  market — Sour  ducks — 
Nights  with  daylight — Breakfast  on  water — New 
Lodgings — Supper — Arrangement  of  the  rooms — 
Superfluous  gifts — The  hostess — Sudden  summer 
heat  .....       131 


CHAPTER  IX. 

Kapidity  of  vegetation — Preparations  for  the  fisheries 
in  the  Oby  GuK — Performance  of  a  religious  rite — 
A  family  farewell — A  touching  scene — Site  of  Berezov 
— Streets — Structure  of  the  houses — Churches — ^Burial 
places — Menzikov's  corpse — His  grave — Graves  of 
other  exiles — Classification  of  the  inhabitants — Pro- 
visions— A  Siberian  school.      .  .  .142 


CHAPTER  X. 

Musquitos  —  Visits  —  Bashfulness    of    a    hostess  —  A 
merchant  widow's   house  —  Objects  of  luxury   and 


XXll  CONTENTS. 


European   taste  —  Not    at    home  —  Summer  heat- 
Courtesy  of  the  Berezovian  maids— Flight — Arrival 

of  Madame  X A  Berezovian  Bloomer— A  Polish 

maid-servant.  .  .  .  .  .157 


CHAPTER  XI. 

Inland  Navigation— The  Berezovian  districts-Population 
— Scantiness  of  cultivation— Manners  and  customs  of 
the  inhabitants— Berezovian  women — origin  of  the 
Berezovian  Cossacks — Causes  of  their  degeneration — 
Their  military  services  and  emoluments  —  Their 
mercantile  spirit  and  traffic  with  the  natives    .     1 73 


CHAPTER  XII. 

My  child— Visits  of  guests— The  Nizegorodtyow  family 
— Parental  authority  —  Ladies'  dresses  —  Costumes 
peculiar  to  each  class  —  Evils  arising  from  change 
of  class  .  .  .  .  .186 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

Failing  health  —  A  Siberian  merchant — Attempts  at 
agriculture — Hostility  to  improvement — System  of 
trade — Articles  of  barter — Character  of  the  natives — 
The  culinary  art — Young  bride's  first  dinner  party — 


CONTENTS.  XXUl 

Female   education  —  Facility  of  marriage  —  Landed 
Property— Prospects  of  Berezov  .  .196 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

St.  Peter's  festival — "Waygulka  pic-nics — Sudden  cold 
— Traces  of  a  road  —  Government  magazines  —  An 
Ostiak  encampment — Description  of  an  Ostiak  yourta 
— SmeU  peculiar  to  the  Ostiaks — Their  diet — Ostiak 
beggars  .....     218 


CHAPTEE  XV. 

Terrific  storm — Thoughts  of  home — A  Siberian  soiree 
Sumptuous  supper — The  stirrup  cup    .  .     230 


CHAPTEE  XVI. 

Marriage  ceremony — Death  of  Colonel  Krzyzanowski— 
News  fi'om  home  —  Paulina's  letter  —  Impressions 
duriag  a  walk .....     243 


CHAPTEE  XVII. 

Early  Autumn — "Water  excursion — Sand-banks— High 
tides — Autumnal  aspect  of  Berezov— Solitary  walk 
in  the  forest — Shamanic  worshippers  of  larch-trees — 
Account  of  a  woman  who  lost  her  way  in  the 
forest  .....       259 


XXIV  CONTENTS. 


CHAPTEE  XVIII. 

The  library  at  Tobolsk — Popularity  of  novels  at  Berezov 
— Tale-tellers — Samoiedes — Their  tents,  habits,  and 
religion  —  Tragic  incident  at  Samarov  —  Kapustka 
fete — Anna  Piotrowna — Public  opinion  on  seduction 
— Alarm  at  the  appearance  of  a  bear    .  .     282 


REVELATIONS  OF  SIBERIA. 


CHAPTEE  I. 

Journey  from  Kiovto  Tobolsk — Departure — Prostration 
— Government  instructions — Tula — Veteran  soldier — 
Iron-works — Eussian  currency — Murom  Forest — 
Nijny  Novgorod — Its  fair. 

On  the  11th  of  March,  old  style,  1839,  I 
left  Kiov.  The  sun  was  shining  in  all  his 
brilliancy,  yet  the  cold  was  intense,  and  no 
signs  of  the  approach  of  spring  were  as  yet 
visible.  We  passed  the  Dnieper  which  was 
still  ice-bound,  in  a  sledge,  by  the  road 
leading  to  Orel,  and  thus  I  set  out  on  my 
long  journey. 

No  sooner  had  we  crossed  the  Dnieper, 
than  the  post-horses  commenced  a  gallop.  I 
still  tried  to  catch  one  more  glimpse  of  Kiov, 

VOL.    I.  B 


Z  EEVELATIONS 

gazing  towards  that  ancient  city  again  and 
again.     At  last  it  vanished  in  the  dinmess  of 
distance,  and  then,  nnconscions  of  all  around 
me,  I  could  neither  see  nor  hear  anything. 
The  only  outward  impressions,  that  I  was  yet 
capable   of  receiving,  were   the   continuous 
ringing  of  the  bells  on  the  post-horses,  cease- 
lessly tinkling  in  my  ear,  and  the  violent 
jerks  and  jolts  when  the  sledge  was  tumbling 
up  and  down,  over  ruts  and  deep  snow-holes 
on  the  road.      These  interruptions  in  some 
degree  aroused  me  for  a  time  from  my  state 
of  abstraction  and  complete  torpor ;  but  at 
last  even  they  ceased  to  produce  the  slightest 
impression  on  me.     Arrivals  at  the  station- 
houses,    relays  of   horses,    and   numberless 
upsettings  of  the  sledge,  did  indeed  remind 
me  at  times  of  external  objects  ;  but  then,  an 
excruciating  headache,  an  acute  pain  in  all 
the  joints  of  my  body,  and  the  shortness  of 
time  in  which  post-horses  were  again  fastened 
to  the  sledge,  did  not  allow  me  an  instant  for 
observation;    for   no   sooner  had  the  bells 
begun  to  tinkle,  than  the  sledge  was  again  on 
its  rapid  breath-stifluig  course,  leaping  in  and 
out  of  holes  and  hollows,  tumbling  over  ruts, 


OF    SIBERIA.  6 

and  thus,  without  interruption,  continuing  on 
— on — on  from  day  till  night,  fr'om  night  till 
day,  without  a  single  intermission. 

At  the  commencement,  I  found  my  journey 
quite  intolerable,  as  I  could  never  sleep  in 
travelling.  Hence  it  may  be  imagined  that 
my  weariness  was  extreme,  and  that  a  few 
hours  of  rest  had  become  absolutely  neces- 
sary to  recruit  my  failing  strength.  After 
travelling  for  two  days  and  nights,  on 
arriving  at  a  station  for  the  relay  of  horses,  I 
alighted  from  the  sledge  and  entered  the 
post-house.  Completely  exhausted,  I  sank 
on  the  nearest  bench,  hoping  to  procure  some 
repose,  though  it  were  only  for  one  short 
hour.  But  from  the  agony  of  my  mind,  all  my 
endeavours  to  snatch  a  little  sleep  proved  in- 
effectual, for  although  my  body  was,  from 
sleeplessness,  in  a  wretched  state  of  prostra- 
tion, my  mind,  to  my  great  distress,  continued 
all  the  while  active,  and  kept  me  awake. 

Wliile  I  was  undergoing  such  indescribable 
torture,  my  guard  entered  the  room,  and 
with  an  authoritative  air  insisted  that  I  should 
immediately  rise,  as  he  had  no  time  to  lose 
on  my  journey,  and  I  might  very  well  take 

B  2 


4  EEVELATIONS 

my  rest  in  the  sledge.  Irritated  at  his 
peremptory  tone — not  unlike  a  steed  when 
made  restive — I  refused  to  obey,  and,  indeed, 
from  my  extreme  debility,  I  could  not  in- 
stantly rise  from  the  place,  where  I  hoped  I 
should  be  enabled  to  get  a  moment's  rest. 
The  master  of  the  post,  an  old  superannuated 
officer  of  the  Eussian  army,  and  a  Eussian 
bybii'th,  looked  with  pity  on  my  wretched  con- 
dition, and  mistrusting  my  guard,  demanded 
to  see  his  instructions.  On  perusing  the 
document,  he  immediately  perceived  that  the 
guard  was  abusing  his  power,  as,  on  accoimt 
of  my  sex  and  my  age,  the  Government  in- 
structions had  been  framed  in  a  considerate 
manner,  and  I,  evidently,  was  not  consigned 
to  my  escort,  without  restraint  being  im- 
posed on  them,  mitigating  to  some  extent, 
and  as  circumstances  might  requii-e,  the 
severity  of  ordinary  regulations.  The  docu- 
ment containing  these  instructions,  the 
humane  officer  read  aloud  in  my  presence, 
that  I  might  imderstand  my  position.  Thus 
accidentally,  and  for  the  fii'st  time,  I  was  in- 
formed exactly  what  were  my  obligations, 
and  how  far  I  was  protected.     Henceforward 


OF    SIBERIA.  5 

I  could  travel  more  comfortabl}^,  and  more  at 
my  ease;  and  as  often  as  I  felt  much 
fatigued,  I  made  my  escort  halt,  to  allow  me 
repose. 

This  was  but  the  beginning  of  my  journey ; 
yet  when  I  retraced  in  my  mind  the  distance 
I  had  traversed,  and  the  fatigue  I  experienced 
on  the  route — when  I  looked  back,  and  on- 
ward, comparing  the  distance  already  com- 
pleted with  the  immense  space  that  still  lay 
before  me,  I  felt  despondent  beyond  expres- 
sion. I  thought  of  the  trials  which  might 
be  awaiting  me  on  the  road,  and  my  courage 
sank.  Yet  there  is  nothing  to  which  man 
may  not,  in  the  end,  be  accustomed ;  nothing 
which  he  may  not  be  brought  to  endm^e. 
Ere  a  week  had  elapsed,  my  ardent  imagina- 
tion had  considerably  cooled,  and  become 
more  hopeful.  My  frame,  also,  had  lost  much 
of  its  former  susceptibility,  and  I  could  easily 
bear  up  against  fatigue.  Now  I  calmly  re- 
sumed my  seat  in  the  sledge,  without  betray- 
ing the  least  sign  of  impatience,  without 
fi'etting,  without  any  aversions;  but  as  if 
such  was  my  daily  business,  and  had  long 
been  the  ordinary  routine  of  my  life. 


6  REVELATIONS 

I  had  no  curiosity  res^^ecting  the  country 
through  which  we  passed,  or  impatience  to 
change  one  spot  for  another — peculiarities 
possessed  generally  by  travellers,  but  abso- 
lutely unfelt  by  me.  In  the  extraordinary 
situation  in  which  I  was,  I  could  experience 
no  kind  of  pleasurable  emotion,  and  I  viewed 
all  things  with  utter  indifference.  I  found 
nothing  to  hurry  me  on — nothing  that  was 
worthy  to  engage  my  attention,  or  to  stimu- 
late my  curiosity.  I  felt  no  desire,  what- 
ever, to  see  any  of  the  places  or  the  scenery 
on  the  road.  My  wishes  were  never  out- 
stripping— were  never  in  advance  of  my 
sledge.  My  hours  were  quite  at  liberty  to 
pass  by  as  they  pleased;  my  will  had  no 
share,  no  interest  in  them. 

In  this  frame  of  mind,  I  had  traversed  a 
great  part  of  the  territory  of  the  government 
of  Tcherniechov,  and  crossed  the  extensive 
steppes  of  the  government  of  Orel,  so  called 
from  the  city  of  that  name,  situated  on  the 
river  Oka,  and  at  length  arrived  at  Tula. 
Wliile  the  horses  were  being  changed  at  this 
town,  I  entered  the  post-house,  driven  in  by 
the    cold,     from    which   I    was    suffering 


OF   SIBERIA. 


severely.  Here  I  happily  found  an  old 
soldier  of  the  Minsk  regiment  of  infantry, 
who  some  time  back,  when  that  regi- 
ment was  stationed  in  our  province, 
had  his  quarters  in  a  village  belonging 
to  myself.  This  circumstance,  trifling  as 
it  may  appear,  made  us  consider  each  other 
in  the  light  of  old  acquaintances ;  such  as  had 
seen  the  same  objects  and  places,  or,  at  least, 
had  some  reminiscences  in  common,  which 
alone  speaks  volumes  to  those  who,  removed 
from  their  native  place,  happen  to  meet  in 
a  distant  land.  I  shall  for  ever  remember 
the  few  moments  of  conversation  I  had  with 
the  veteran  soldier. 

In  the  reception  room,  at  the  same  post- 
house,  my  attention  was  not  a  little  attracted 
by  various  articles  from  the  iron  manufactory 
of  Tula,  admirable  for  their  pohsh  and  lustre. 
They  formed  an  agreeable  exhibition,  and 
were  evidently  exposed  to  view  as  a  bait  to 
travellers — such,  at  least,  they  were  to  me. 
Charmed  by  the  display,  I  experienced  a 
strong  desire  to  make  a  choice  of  some  of 
the  more  useful  of  the  articles,  and  take 
them  with  me   as  souvenirs  from   Tula.     I 


8  REVELATIONS 

thought,  too,  they  would  be  of  service  to  me, 
as  I  was  going  to  a  country  which  scarcely 
possessed  any  manufactures ;  and  having  but 
little  luggage,  they  would  be  no  incumbrance. 
I  made  a  selection  of  such  as  I  considered 
would  prove  most  serviceable  for  female  work, 
as  knives,  scissors,  bodldns,  and  such  other 
trifling  articles,  and  a  seal,  bearing  a  well- 
known  larch  tree  for  its  symbol.*  After  I 
had  duly  settled  my  account,  and  was  left 
alone,  I  was  examining  my  pui'chases,  and 
admiring  their  exquisite  workmanship,  when 
I  fancied  I  heard  a  cautious  step  behind  me, 
as  though  somebody  was  approaching,  and 
suddenly  felt  a  small  roll  of  paper  thrust 
into  my  hand.  I  instantly  turned  round,  and 
beheld  the  veteran  soldier,  but  he  had  already 
glided  away,  and  now  stood  at  a  distance. 
He  cast  a  significant  glance  at  me,  but  was 
silent.  "  There  is  some  mystery  in  all  this," 
thought  I ;  but  I  made  no  remark. 

Curiosity  is  never  more  alive  or  more  acute, 
than  when  it  is  stimulated  by  secrecy.  I  thrust 
the  roll  of  paper  in  my  pocket,  waiting  for 

*  The   larch-tree  is  symbolical  of  Siberia;    and  in 
this  place,  identical  with  banishment  to  that  country. 


OF    SIBERIA.  9 

some  favoiirableopportuiiity  when  I  could  read 
it  unobserved,  without  running  the  risk  of 
compromising  the  giver  of  it.  I  longed  for 
this  opportunity,  and  as  soon  as  I  saw  my- 
self alone,  I  imfolded  the  crumpled  paper, 
and  read  in  Eussian  characters,  traced  some- 
what clumsily,  as  follows : 

"  In  paying  bills,  attend  to  the  paper  cur- 
rency, which  is  diJBferent  in  this  coimtry.  You 
paid  two  roubles  more  than  you  ought.  To 
prevent  your  being  cheated  in  other  places, 
I  enclose  for  you  '  Tables  of  the  currency.'  " 

After  perusing  the  scrawl,  I  signified  ^with 
a  grateful  look  my  thanks  to  the  kind- 
hearted  veteran.  Afterwards  I  tried  to  make 
out  in  what  manner  I  had  been  imposed 
upon,  but  could  not  unravel  it ;  having  made 
my  bargain  in  copper  assignats  of  the  cur- 
rency, and  paid  the  amount  due  in  the  same 
coin.  Perplexed  by  my  calculations,  I 
watched  again  for  an  opportunity  to  speak 
to  the  veteran,  and  obtain  from  him  more 
accm^ate  information  on  the  subject.  From 
his  explanation,  I  found  the  system  of  cur- 
rency in  those  parts  to  be  so  strange  and  so 
intricate,  that  without  the  aid  of  the  Tables, 

B  3 


10  REVELATIONS 

and  some  notion  of  other  technicalities,  it  was 
quite  uniatelligible.  Not  a  single  species  of 
monetary  currency,  neither  that  of  houmasliM, 
as  the  paper  assignats  are  called,  nor  that  of 
silver  or  copper,  cii'culated  according  to  its 
nominal  or  real  value.  It  is  true  that  in 
making  the  accounts,  it  was  customary  to 
reduce  all  to  copper  assignats  as  a  fixed 
standard;  but  in  the  payment  of  bills 
amounting  to  twelve  such  assignats,  only  ten 
assignats  were  to  be  paid,  and  the  matter 
was  considered  as  settled.  Why  it  was  so, 
is  to  this  day  a  perfect  puzzle  to  me,  and  I 
am  at  a  loss  to  account  for  it.  As  to  silver 
coin  in  circulation,  it  was  not  taken  ad 
valorem^  but  in  its  relative  value  to  the  copper 
assignats;  and  this  computation  had  some- 
how become  so  complicated  by  the  fractional 
reduction  of  the  kopeJcs^  that  it  was  quite  im- 
possible to  get  out  of  the  maze  of  confusion, 
except  with  the  aid  of  the  Tables,  or  by 
means  of  long  practice. 

Quite  at  a  loss  to  comprehend  the  wisdom 
of  such  a  monetary  system,  and  still  less  to 
appreciate  its  expediency,  but  consideriag 
that  on  my  farther  journey  the  information 


OF   SIBERIA.  11 

might  be  very  useM,  I  humbly  bowed  to  my 
informant,  and  put  his  Tables,  with  which 
he  had  the  kindness  to  provide  me,  into  my 
pocket ;  and  I  had,  indeed,  frequent  occasion 
to  consult  them.  I  cannot  say  that  the 
knowledge  of  my  having  been  cheated,  had 
on  this  occasion  been  of  any  avail ;  for  no 
sooner  had  the  vendor  of  the  articles 
pocketed  the  money,  than  he  vanished,  and 
I  did  not  see  his  face  again. 

I  should  like  to  have  seen  the  whole  of  Tula, 
which  appeared  to  be  a  flourishing  city;  and  I 
particularly  wished  to  visit  its  iron  foundries, 
and  other  manufacturing  establishments,  but 
I  soon  found  how  idle  were  all  my  aspirations. 
The  implacable  tinkling  of  bells  began  again 
to  ring  in  my  ears,  accompanied  by  my  guard's 
ill-omened  song,  ending  in  the  customary 
refrain^  "  Onwards — onwards — onwards." 

Tula,  as  far  as  I  was  able  to  judge  from  its 
exterior,  is  a  beautiful  town.  It  has  broad 
streets,  houses  with  iron  balconies  and  iron 
gates,  and  gardens  enclosed  with  railings, 
which  make  it  appear  fresh  and  neat,  and 
altogether  very  picturesque.  Its  environs, 
however,  failed  to  leave  any  such  agreeable 


12  REVELATIONS 

impression  on  my  memory.  Immense  steppes, 
covered  with  snow,  like  vast  winding-sheets, 
extended  on  all  sides  as  far  as  the  eye  could 
reach.  For  many  hundred  versts  on  my 
route,  no  town,  no  village,  and,  indeed,  no 
decent  or  tenable  human  habitation  presented 
itself;  and  all  that  could  be  descried  on  that 
vast  desert,  were  solitary  willows,  standing 
at  great  distances  from  each  other  on  the 
road,  not  so  much  to  border  it,  as  to  indicate 
the  way  to  the  traveller. 

From  Tula  our  way  lay  to  Eazan.  This 
town  passed,  we  approached  the  great  Murom 
Forest,  celebrated  in  innumerable  wonderful 
stories  and  ancient  traditions,  circulating 
among  the  people.  The  Mui'om  Forest  is 
especially  renowned  as  the  scene  of  countless 
robberies  and  murders,  perpetrated  in  old  and 
modern  times.  The  imagination  of  the  neigh- 
bouring people  seems  never  to  weary  of 
creating  all  sorts  of  new  stories  of  this  kind, 
or  embellishing  old  ones.  Post-masters  and 
drivers,  with  fancy  more  or  less  poetical,  and 
ever  inclined  to  Oriental  exaggeration,  here,  on 
this  one  theme,  act  the  part  of  national  bards, 
and  recount  these  dismal  tales  with  the  greatest 


OF    SIBERIA.  IS 

eagerness  to  the  astounded  and  fascinated 
traveller. 

I  had  much  pleasure  in  listening  to  these 
wild  stories,  in  so  far  as  they  appeared  to  be 
the  fruit  of  a  national  poetry — originating 
naturally  from  a  local  source — and  were  not 
a  mere  offspring  of  imagination,  artificially 
kindled  and  excited.  Still,  in  spite  of  the 
strong  impression  they  produced  on  my  fellow- 
travellers  and  our  military  escort — spite  of 
the  solemn  and  earnest  character  of  their 
preparations,  such  as  loading  of  muskets,  and 
searching  for  all  possible  weapons  of  defence, 
before  we  entered  the  dreadful  forest — spite 
of  all  these  measures  of  precaution,  and  the 
alarm  which  I  detected  in  all  countenances, 
I,  for  my  part,  felt  not  the  least  apprehension. 

There  exist  certain  situations  apt  to  exalt 
man  above  all  events  incidental  to  every-day 
life,  rendering  him  wholly  inaccessible  to  all 
such  emotions  as  fear.  Placed  in  such  cir- 
cumstances, we  acquire  a  marvellous  degree 
of  independence,  enabling  us  to  look  with 
contempt  and  utter  indifference  on  what  may 
cause  dismay ^and  alarm  to  others;  although,  at 
other  times,  and  under  different  circumstances, 


14  EEVELATIONS 

we  should  alike  experience  some  disquietude. 
This  condition,  which  raises  us  above  the 
ordinary  incidents  of  life,  is  our  strength,  our 
delight  in  misfortune,  and  was  now  my  best 
consolation. 

We  traversed  the  Murom  Forest,  the  great 
theme  of  so  many  disquieting  stories,  in  per- 
fect safety,  without  undergoing  any  of  the 
dreaded  adventures ;  and  indeed,  after  jour- 
neying over  such  an  extent  of  steppes,  tire- 
some by  their  monotony,  I  might  almost  say 
that  it  afforded  me  a  certaia  degi-ee  of  plea- 
sure. I  remember  I  felt  much  relieved  amid 
the  grandeur  of  the  sylvan  scenery ;  and 
instead  of  meeting  fierce  bands  of  robbers,  I 
saw  only  a  variety  of  birds,  flying  siagly  or 
in  flocks  over  our  heads,  and  woodcocks  dang- 
ling like  as  many  caps  on  the  branches  of 
birch  trees.  The  flapping  of  their  wings, 
while  these  birds  were  flying  from  tree  to 
tree,  scared  at  the  approach  of  human  beings, 
was  the  only  sound  heard  in  the  silent  soli- 
tude of  the  immense  forest.  The  sight  of 
these  beautiful  birds,  which  were  very  nume- 
rous, made  the  blood  of  my  Lithuanian  heart 
glow  with  earlier  feelings — and  mhie  was  the 


OF    SIBERIA.  15 

blood  of  the  ancient  huntsmen  of  Lithnania. 
I  sprang  up  from  my  seat  in  the  sledge,  with- 
out knowing  wherefore  ;  while  the  woodcocks 
with  a  quiet  and  indifferent  look,  gazed  on  us 
from  the  trees  near  the  road,  as  if  to  mock 
my  inability  to  reach  them.  Every  time  we 
saw  such  flocks  as  these  feathered  tribes,  an 
exclamation  of  delight  burst  from  me,  and 
for  the  moment  I  forgot  my  situation  and  my 
sorrows. 

Having  traversed  the  Murom  Forest,  we 
approached  the  banks  of  the  Wolga,  and  at 
last  arrived  at  ISTijny  Novgorod,  a  city  far 
famed  for  its  fairs.  As  we  drew  nigh, 
the  mass  of  buildings  had  the  appearance  of 
two  separate  towns,  quite  distinct  from  each 
other ;  the  Wolga  intersecting  and  running 
between  them.  The  one  division  was  full  of 
activity,  business,  and  animation ;  the  other 
regularly  built,  neat,  and  cleanly,  but  lifeless, 
without  bearing  any  marks  either  of  antiquity, 
or  devastation  by  time.  Quiet,  immovable, 
and  buried  beneath  snow,  that  part  of  the 
city  appeared  in  a  somnolent  torpor,  as  if 
under  the  power  of  enchantment,  and  in  its 
first    form  of  youth,   freshness,  and  grace, 


16  REVELATIONS 

waiting  for  ages  the  arrival  of  that  deliverer 
whose  destiny  it  was  to  disenthral  it,  and 
restore  it  to  life  and  action. 

After  contemplating  the  silent  scene  for  a 
few  moments,  I  rubbed  my  eyes,  and  looked 
again,  but  all  I  saw  remained  an  enigma.  I 
asked  myself  what  could  have  happened. 
Had  the  breath  of  plague  passed  over  the 
city  with  its  blighting  influence  ?  Though 
it  was  apparently  so  fresh,  and  presented  not 
a  sign  of  decay,  still  all  was  solitary  and 
dead ! 

The  mystery  was  soon  cleared  up.  The 
portion  of  the  city  where  we  put  up,  was  the 
place  where  the  celebrated  fair  is  held,  called 
Makariev  Fair,  after  the  town  of  Makariev, 
whence  it  had  been  transferred  to  Nijny 
Novgorod  in  1817.  It  lasts  five  weeks ;  and 
during  this  season,  that  part  of  the  town 
becomes  the  mart  for  the  productions  and 
manufactures  brought  from  all  Europe  and 
Asia,  for  sale  or  barter.  The  Wolga,  by 
which  the  Baltic  is  united  with  the  Caspian 
Sea,  carries  to  this  place  merchandise  from 
the  south  and  the  west.  Here,  the  Calmucks, 
Persians,  and  Bukharians,  come  with    the 


OF    SIBERIA.  17 

produce  of  tlieir  own  coimtry ;  tlie  Chinese, 
with  tjieir  tea  and  silks ;  the  Siberians,  with 
their  furs  and  curious  collections  of  precious 
stones.  These  and  the  like  articles  of  raw 
produce,  and  the  other  riches  of  Asia,  are 
exchanged  for  the  choice  commodities  of 
Europe.  It  cheered  me  to  see  that,  by- 
means  of  commerce  on  the  very  spot  where  I 
then  was,  and  which  I  saw  so  benumbed  and 
almost  dead,  intercourse  was  yet  maintained 
between  so  many  nations,  differing  in  origin, 
customs,  language,  and  religion;  in  the 
colour  of  their  skin  and  in  their  dress ;  in 
their  physiognomy  and  civilisation.  Divided 
by  nearly  the  whole  of  the  globe,  they  here 
meet  together  on  friendly  terms,  and  be- 
come acquainted  with  each  other,  and 
humanized. 

The  busy  half  of  the  city,  which,  at  that 
time,  was  but  just  covered  with  snow,  is  awake 
and  alive  only  for  a  few  weeks.  During  this 
short  period,  however,  all  is  activity  and 
bustle  within  its  precincts.  Merchants  from 
far  and  near  congregate  in  the  streets;  hotels, 
houses,  and  huts  swarm  with  a  moving  mass 
of  strangers,  and  are  overstocked  with  wares. 


18  REVELATIONS 

For  these  few  weeks  of  her  existence,  the 
disenchanted  city  lives  a  longer  life  than  her 
sister,  on  the  opposite  shore,  during  the 
whole  year. 


OF   SIBERIA.  19 


CHAPTEE  II. 

Russian  fare — Companions  in  exile — Arrival  at  Kazan 
— Discomforts  at  lodgings — ^Visit  from  the  Police 
Director — Visit  from  a  Russian  matron — Recollec- 
tions of  Easter-day — Invitation  from  the  landlady — 
Obstacles  at  departure — Aspect  of  the  city — Variety 
of  races — Costumes — A  Tartar  chief  and  his  wife. 

At  Nijny  ISTovgorod,  having  provisioned 
ourselves  with  bread  and  other  necessaries, 
as,  on  account  of  the  approaching  Great 
Lent  we  could  hardly  expect  to  obtam  at 
post-stations  anything  but   barshtch,*  with 

*  BarsMch  is  made  of  beet-root,  as  sour-krout  is  of 
cabbages,  set  in  fermentation,  namely,  by  the  following 
process  :  a  quantity  of  fresh-pulled  beet-root  is  put  in 
an   earthen  pan  filled  with  water,   and  loaves   of  rye 


20  REVELATIONS 

oil,  gruel,  and  sour-la-out,  all  wluch  are  but 
meagre  fare,  we  continued  our  route  on  the 
ice-bound  Wolga  to  Kazan.  I  have  used 
the  plui'al  number,  because  I  left  Kiev  simul- 
taneously with  Madame  Pauline  Wilczopolska 

flour  are  added  to  create  fermentation.  A  cover  is  put 
over  the  pan,  and  hermetically  closed  with  a  rim  of 
soft  paste,  to  prevent  the  air  from  entering.  It  is  then 
set  in  a  warm  place  for  ten  days,  after  which  it  will 
draw  out  vinegar  from  the  beet-root,  very  red  and  sour. 
To  make  a  dish  of  bm'shtch,  various  other  ingredients, 
as  Onions,  celery,  cloves,  pepper,  bayleaves,  &c.,  are 
added  to  make  it  savoury.  It  may  be  boiled  with  every 
kind  of  meat ;  and  on  Lenten  days  with  cream  and  oil, 
which  is  the  Eussian  way,  and  not  relished  by  our 
authoress.  Many  other  unknown  dishes  are  mentioned 
in  her  book — some  even  described  by  her  ;  and  receipts 
for  others,  as  the  Polish  cake,  habt/,  harshtch,  and  the 
Bussian  shtcy,  or  sour-krout,  may  be  found  in  Mr. 
Bregion's  "  Practical  Cook."  The  ingredients,  and  the 
mode  of  preparation  of  the  latter,  as  stated  in  that  book, 
are  so  various  and  so  expensive,  that  dishes  so  prepared 
are  real  dainties,  calculated  solely  for  seignorial  or  royal 
tables.  The  late  Emperor  Alexander  reHshed  the 
harshtch,  and  so  many  do  ;  it  is,  like  sour-krout,  medi- 
cinal and  anti-scorbutic,  and  much  nicer.  The  Kussian 
dishes,  as  referred  to  by  our  authoress  in  her  book,  must 
be  presumed  to  have  been  quite  different,  and  consisting 
of  more  simple  compounds. — Ed. 


OF    SIBERIA.  21 

and  Miss  Josephine  Ezon^ewska,  who  were  my 
travelling  companions.  Both  these  ladies 
were  destined  for  other  places ;  bnt  we  were 
to  travel  together  on  the  same  route  as  far  as 
Tobolsk. 

We  arrived  at  Kazan  on  Good  Friday. 
Being  tii^ed,  famished,  and  exhausted,  we 
resolved  to  profit  by  the  indulgences  granted 
in  the  instructions,  and  rest  awhile  in  this 
city,  at  least  during  the  Easter  festival.  We 
communicated  our  joint  wishes  to  the  Ser- 
geant, oiu-  principal  guard,  and  as  they  coin- 
cided with  his  own,  he  readily  agreed  to 
them.  It  was,  however,  necessary  to  go 
first  through  certain  forms,  and  having 
arranged  measures  with  us,  he  left  us  in  the 
sledge  in  the  public  street,  commending  us 
to  the  surveillance  of  his  subalterns,  and 
went  to  present  himself  to  the  authorities,  to 
deliver  his  despatches,  and  receive  farther 
orders.  We  waited  his  return  with  imdis- 
sembled  impatience,  and  strove  to  amuse 
ourselves  meanwhile  by  looking  at  the  town. 
But,  as  ill  luck  would  have  it,  darkness  came 
on,  enveloping  every  object,  and  so  even 
this  resource  was  denied  us. 

Two,  three,  and  four  hours  passed,  and  still 


22  EEYELATIONS 

the  Sergeant  did  not  make  his  appearance. 
The  darkness  of  night  did  not,  as  may  be 
fancied,  in  the  least  diminish  our  impatience. 
Hunger,  cold,  and  prostration  of  body  and 
mind,  and  the  vehement  curses  of  the  postil- 
lion, who  was  likewise  worn  out  by  long 
waiting,  added  beyond  measure  to  our  suffer- 
ings. At  last,  the  postillion  advised  us  to 
take  shelter  in  some  inn,  or  a  shed,  and  not 
to  remain  in  the  street  to  perish  with  cold 
and  hunger ;  but  our  guardian  escort  would 
not  hear  of  such  a  proposition,  but  insisted 
that  we  shoidd  remain  where  we  were  till  the 
commander  arrived.  Even  they,  however, 
were  worn  out  eventually,  and  we  were 
suffered  to  put  up  at  an  inn. 

It  was  now  about  ten  o'clock;  and  no 
sooner  did  we  enter  the  room,  and  felt  the 
genial  warmth,  than  we  entirely  forgot  our 
other  wants,  being  seized  with  an  overwhelm- 
ing inclination  to  sleep,  which  involimtarily 
closed  oui*  eyes.  A  cai^pet  spread  on  the 
floor,  and  a  pillow  under  our  heads,  was  the 
extent  of  our  wishes — the  earthly  paradise 
our  hearts  sighed  for ;  and  directly  we  laid 
down,  we  sank  into  a  profound  sleep. 

It  was  not,  however,  long  before  we  were. 


OF   SIBERIA.  23 

to  oiu'  great  annoyance,  disturbed  by  our 
sergeant,  wbo  brought  us  otherwise  agreeable 
news,  namely,  that  the  authorities  had  com- 
plied with  our  wishes,  and  that  quarters  were 
ready  for  us,  but  that  we  must  proceed  to 
them  immediately.  We  besought  permission 
to  pass  the  remainder  of  the  night  where  we 
were,  but  our  entreaties  were  in  vain.  We 
were  answered  that  this  was  impossible,  and 
that  an  officer  was  waiting  in  the  adjoining 
room  who  was  to  see  us  to  our  assigned 
lodgings.  We  saw  there  was  no  remedy, 
and  that  we  must  quit  our  warm  chamber, 
resign  our  cherished  pUlows,  and  go  to  the 
new  quarters.  Accordingly  we  got  up  and 
collected  our  luggage,  consoling  ourselves 
with  the  thought  that  for  all  this  trouble  we 
should  in  the  end  be  indemnified  by  imdis- 
tui'bed  rest  diu-ing  the  following  two  days. 

It  did  not  take  long  to  pack  up,  so  that 
the  officer  who  was  to  accompany  us,  and 
who  was  very  considerate,  was  not  kept 
waiting.  But  another  annoyance  was  in 
store  for  us.  At  midnight  it  was  not  easy  to 
find  horses,  and  our  own  post-horses  were 
gone.     Through  the  activity,  however,  of  our 


24  REYELATIONS 

Sergeant,  imited  to  the  efforts  of  the  officer, 
all  difficulties  were  at  last  overcome. 

On  arriving  at  onr  quarters  it  was  past  two 
o'clock,  and  we  found  ourselves  in  a  house 
which  had  long  been  uninhabited,  and  which 
gave  forth  a  damp  and  musty  odour,  so 
oppressive  as  scarcely  to  suffer  us  to  breathe. 
The  walls  were  mouldy,  and  reeked  with 
moisture,  and  were  covered  with  a  swarm  of 
black  worms,  knovm  in  Lithuania  by  the 
name  of  prusaM  (Prussians),  and  in  Eussia 
by  that  of  tarakany ;  amongst  which  huge 
black  cockroaches — a  different  species  of 
insect  from  the  former — crawled,  not  unlike 
officers  among  soldiers,  in  various  directions 
on  the  wall. 

At  this  miserable  spectacle  a  thrill  of 
horror  crept  over  my  frame.  The  idea  of  a 
struggle  at  night,  and  in  the  dark,  vrith 
whole  hosts  of  such  hideous  vermin,  appeared 
to  us  beyond  the  possibility  of  endurance ;  and 
we  all  beseechingly  implored  the  indulgence 
of  the  officer  to  be  allowed  to  pass  the  night 
in  sledges,  in  the  open  coiu't-yard,  where  we 
could  at  least  breathe  freely,  and  be  immo- 
lested  by  such  horrid  creatures.     The  officer 


OF    SIBERIA.  25 

felt  embaiTassed  by  oui'  request,  and  we  could 
see  that  he  sincerely  desired,  as  far  as  it 
depended  on  him,  to  secure  us  a  comfortable 
night's  rest. 

"  I  acted  for  the  best,"  he  said,  "  in 
bringing  you  here.  I  certainly  could  have 
taken  another  house,  which  was  dry  and 
clean ;  but  reflecting  that  as  you  anived 
yesterday  perishing  with  cold,  you  might 
wish  above  all  things  for  warm  rooms,  I  chose 
this;  for  the  other  house  is  exceedingly 
cold." 

"  Even  if  a  thousand  times  colder,  if  there 
be  such  let  us  go,''  we  all  cried,  as  with  one 
voice. 

The  officer  instantly  ran  outside  to  give 
orders  not  to  cany  down  the  things.  He 
soon  returned,  and  said  that  the  horses  were 
abeady  taken  out  of  the  sledges,  but  that  he 
had  ordered  them  to  be  put  in  again.  We 
thanked  him,  and  offered  to  go  on  foot,  if  but 
to  draw  breath  in  the  open  air;  and  thus 
leaving  our  sledges  behind,  we  proceeded,  led 
by  the  officer  to  the  other  house.  We  soon 
arrived  there,  and  were  satisfied  with  it ;  for 
though  very  cold,  we  found  that  at  least  it 

VOL.    I.  c 


26  REVELATIONS 

was  clean  and  dry.  The  officer  who  had  so 
kindly  escorted  ns  now  took  leave ;  and  we 
once  more  set  abont  preparing  our  beds. 

Before  we  finished  our  arrangements  it 
was  near  daylight,  and  whether  owing  to  our 
shifting  from  place  to  place,  or  our  consequent 
agitation,  our  inclination  for  sleep  had  by 
this  time  forsaken  us.  But  reflecting  that 
we  had  an  entire  day  for  rest,  we  closed  the 
window-shutters,  and  threw  ourselves  on  our 
couches,  the  more  joyfully  as  we  felt  confident 
that  we  should  not  be  disturbed  by  any 
summons  for  departure.  Por  some  time  we 
sought  to  console  and  comfort  each  other, 
and  felt  so  soothed  by  our  efibrts,  that  even- 
tually we  fell  into  a  sweet  slumber ;  and  I 
know  not  how  long  we  should  have  enjoyed 
it,  had  we  not  been  suddenly  aroused  by  a 
violent  knocking  at  our  door.  "We  then 
heard  our  Sergeant's  voice  outside,  announcing 
that  the  Director  of  the  Police  had  come,  and 
wanted  to  speak  to  us.  We  immediately 
started  up  and  opened  the  window-shutters ; 
and  then,  with  the  utmost  dispatch,  arranged 
our  travelling  toilette,  and  expressed  our  rea- 
diness to  receive  that  important  functionary. 


OF    SIBEEIA.  27 

On  entering,  the  Director  of  the  Police 
inquired  very  civilly  how  we  were  satisfied 
with  our  quarters,  and  whether  we  had  slept 
well.  "We,  in  our  turn,  politely  answered 
that  we  were  perfectly  satisfied. 

"  I  very  much  rejoice  that  it  is  so,"  said 
he ;  "  and  since  you  no  longer  feel  fatigue, 
you  will,  my  ladies,  be  prepared  to  set  out 
this  day  on  your  further  journey." 

We  cast  on  each  other  a  look  of  extreme 
disappointment.  So  much  trouble,  worry, 
and  vexation — and  all  this  for  nothing :  not 
even  one  single  day  of  repose  after  a  sleep- 
less night,  were  the  thoughts  that  flitted 
through  our  minds. 

"I  am  not  sure.  Sir,"  said  I,  at  length; 
"  but  you  might,  perhaps,  know,  that  by  the 
instructions  regulatiag  oui*  journey,  we  are 
allowed  some  moments  for  repose,  if  we  re- 
quire it,  in  all  government  towns.  We, 
therefore,  firmly  rely  on  the  favourable  tenor 
of  the  regulations,  that  this  will  be  conceded 
to  us ;  and  we  have  no  suspicion,  Sir,  that 
you  will  try  to  infringe  them." 

"This  is  all  true,"  said  he.  "You  cer- 
tainly have  this  permission  granted  to  you, 

c  2 


28  EEVELATIONS 

ladies,  by  the  regulations.  Still,  as  you  have 
already,  to  all  appearance,  taken  sufficient 
rest  from  your  journey,  you  will  not,  I  hope, 
be  the  worse  for  continuing  it  to-day 
further." 

To  this  I  said  not  a  word.  The  func- 
tionary seemed  to  have  expected  further  com- 
plaints or  solicitations,  when  he  might  have 
relented  and  yielded ;  but,  after  a  few  mo- 
ments' pause,  observing  nothing  but  resig- 
nation and  silence,  he  said : 

"  Well,  then,  to  please  you,  ladies,  I  per- 
mit you  to  remain  here  a  few  hours  longer." 
We  received  his  decree  with  deference  ;  and 
he  then  took  leave. 

Vexed,  disappointed,  and  quite  worn  out 
with  fatigue,  we  commenced  packing,  deter- 
mined not  to  be  again  tempted,  even  if  occa- 
sion offered,  to  stop  on  the  road ;  but, 
however  wearied  we  might  be,  continue  our 
journey,  as  nothing  could  be  so  harassing 
as  these  interruptions. 

Calling  in  our  Sergeant,  we  announced 
that  we  were  instantly  to  leave  the  place. 
But  all  around  seemed  to  be  engrossed  with 
the  sole  idea  of  Easter,  and  how  to  pass  it 


OP    SIBERIA.  29 

joyMly  :  nobody  was  preparing  for  the  joiu-- 
ney,  or  cared  to  stir.  The  clerks  in  the  pub- 
lic offices,  and  the  postillions,  thought  of 
nothing  but  the  blithesome  festival ;  and  so, 
taking  our  seats  on  our  luggage,  we  awaited 
the  result,  not  knowing  what  to  do.  Sud- 
denly the  door  opened,  and  we  received  an 
unexpected  visit. 

A  respectable  elderly  matron  entered  the 
room.  I  forget  her  name,  though  she  an- 
nounced it  on  presenting  herself.  She  was 
the  widow  of  a  Eussian  colonel,  and  had  been 
at  "Warsaw  with  her  husband  when  his  regi- 
ment was  quartered  in  the  neighbourhood. 
She  had  then  formed  many  acquaintances  in 
that  city,  and  could  not  forget  the  happy 
days  she  had  spent  in  Poland.  On  being 
apprised  of  our  arrival  from  that  remote 
country,  without  any  friends  or  acquaintance 
in  this  foreign  land,  she  came  to  assure  us  of 
her  sympathy,  and,  according  to  the  custom 
of  the  place  on  Easter-day,  to  present  us  with 
a  red  egg. 

Expressing  our  sincere  thanks  to  the 
worthy  matron  for  her  courtesy,  we  accepted 
her  kind  present,  wishing  her  many  happy 


3b 


EEYELATIONS 


returns  of  the  season,  and  we  had  the  plea- 
sure of  half-an-hour's  most  interesting  con- 
versation with  her.  After  she  left  us,  and 
we  were  again  given  up  to  our  reflections, 
the  sight  of  the  painted  eggs  brought  innu- 
merable recollections  into  our  minds — all  con- 
nected with  this  mirthful  though  solemn  fes- 
tival, as  commemorated  in  our  own  country. 
There  all  the  days  are  devoted  to  acts  of 
hospitality — to  meetings  with  relatives  and 
friends.  During  that  happy  period,  the  aged 
and  young  assemble  at  festive  boards,  ex- 
changing mutual  remembrances,  and  con- 
tracting new  links  or  sympathies.  Associa- 
tions are  then  formed,  ineffaceable  from 
memory,  and  for  ever  dear  to  the  heart. 

While  we  thus  indulged  in  silent  commu- 
nion with  ourselves,  the  animal  nature  of 
man,  with  its  inferior  cravings,  started  up  on 
the  scene.  Hunger  failed  not  to  call  up  far 
different  associations  and  recollections ;  and, 
along  with  these,  a  traiu  of  enjoyments — as 
tables  covered  with  a  variety  of  viands — fat 
hams,  roasted  pigs,  stuffings,  and  sausages ; 
and  a  profusion  of  delicious  cakes,  the  famous 
bah?/,  and  the  masurki.     These  various  deli- 


OF    SIBERIA.  31 


/ 


cacies  presented  themselves  to  our  imagina- 
tion in  vivid  colours,  and  with  their  ambro- 
sial odour  and  aroma  of  spices,  quite  capti- 
vated our  senses.  We  then  experienced  that 
nothing  so  powerfully  excites  the  imagination 
as  a  famished  stomach. 

The  eggs,  which  the  Colonel's  dowager 
had  kindly  presented  us,  were  swallowed  in  a 
.twinkling,  with  a  voracity  not  easy  to  be 
described.  Poor  dame  !  she  little  suspected 
that,  in  performing  usual  formalities,  she  had 
adniLoistered  to  our  wants.  But  her  gift  was 
not  imlike  a  fly  snatched  by  a  voracious  dog, 
so  little  did  it  satisfy  our  craving  appetite. 
We  instantly  called  our  Sergeant,  and  begged 
him  to  send  somebody  to  the  market  to  fetch 
some  ham,  sausages,  rolls,  or  whatever  could 
be  got  in  the  town, 

"  There  is  no  market  to-day,"  was  his 
answer.  "  Besides,  no  such  things  are  sold 
here." 

' '  How !  Is  there  no  food  to  be  had  then  ?  " 
I  asked. 

"  I  do  not  know,"  he  replied, 

"  Surely,  neither  you  nor  your  companions 
can  exist  without  food  ?" 


32  REVELATIONS 

''  We  ordered  our  landlady  to  furnish  us 
with  some  eatables." 

''  Ask  her,  then,  to  do  the  same  for  us." 

''But  you,  ladies,  will,  perhaps,  not  relish 
the  fare  which  we  eat." 

"  You  are  jesting,"  I  replied.  "  Those 
who  are  perishing  of  hunger,  can  they  be 
fastidious  ?" 

The  Sergeant  left  us  to  give  his  orders. 
Meanwhile  our  meditations  involuntarily  re- 
curred to  our  own  country,  and  the  Easter 
festivities  of  our  native  homes.  What  an 
abundance  during  that  season  exists  every- 
where, from  the  stately  palace  to  the  hum- 
blest hut !  With  what  cordial  hospitality 
the  traveller,  frequently  a  complete  stranger, 
is  welcomed  even  by  the  poorest  man,  to 
partake  with  him  and  his  family  of  the 
consecrated  egg  and  of  his  household  meal ; 
the  host  rejoicing  that  Heaven  had  sent  him 
a  guest.  And  thus  all,  be  they  rich  or  poor, 
are  satiated  with  the  good  things  which  a 
bountiful  Providence  has  vouchsafed.  At 
these  reminiscences  a  sigh  arose,  and  I  in- 
wardly prayed  that  God  would  preserve  my 
country    fr-om    being    contaminated    with 


OF    SIBERIA.  33 

foreign  maimers,  that  this  national  custom, 
might  never  be  obliterated — a  custom  which 
has  for  ages  united,  with  such  a  beautiful 
link,  hospitality  and  the  observances  of  reli- 
gion. 

In  the  midst  of  these  meditations,  we  were 
interrupted  by  the  entrance  of  our  landlady, 
a  person  belonging  to  the  burgher  class  of 
Kazan.  Without  any  preamble,  she  announced, 
with  the  greatest  simplicity  imaginable, 
that  she  had  a  number  of  friends  in  the 
house,  and  as  they  were  all  desirous  of  seeing 
what  Polish  ladies  were  like,  asked  whether 
we  would  not  come  down-stairs  to  give  them 
that  pleasure ;  and  we  might  at  the  same 
timie  see  what  eatables  she  had  that  would 
please  us,  as  she  knew  not  our  customs  or 
tastes. 

We  looked  at  each  other,  and  could  not 
help  smiling.  We  were  desired  to  act  the 
part  of  theatrical  figurantes,  neither  more  nor 
less,  before  the  descendants  of  the  Tartars. 
Our  self-respect  had  been  aroused  and  hurt ; 
but  it  soon  yielded  to  a  frolicsome  mood. 
"  What  hurt  can  there  be,"  we  began  to 
reason  within  ourselves,    "  in  becoming  for 

c  3 


34  REVELATIONS 

awhile  objects  of  curiosity  to  people  of  whom 
we  know  nothing?  Are  they  not  willing  to 
repay  us  with  reciprocity  ?  sight  for  sight — 
spectacle  for  spectacle.  Such  is  the  way,  and 
such  is  the  daily  routine  of  the  world.  In 
fine,  we  shall  be  made  partakers  of  their 
henitP^  Haying  arrived  at  this  laudable 
resolution,  we  answered  that  we  would  com- 
ply with  her  request,  and  would  soon  come 
down-stairs. 

No  sooner  had  our  hostess  passed  the  door, 
than  each  of  us  thought  of  nothing  but  her 
toilet.  We  unpacked,  and  endeavoured  as 
well  as  we  could  to  arrange  our  dresses,  which 
after  a  fortnight's  travelliug,  had,  as  may  be 
imagiaed,  neither  freshness  nor  elegance  to 


*  The  lenity  Polish  swiencone,  is  a  custom  peculiar  to 
Poland,  and  in  part  also  to  Russia.  After  the  Great  Lent, 
terminating  on  Easter-day,  no  meat  is  touched,  even 
on  that  day,  until  it  has  been  blessed  and  consecrated 
by  the  priest ;  whence  the  name  henit  (benediction)  was 
derived.  The  display  of  the  viands  of  all  sorts  on  that 
occasion  is  very  great ;  and  the  tables  are  not  only  sump- 
tuous, but  are  kept  open  for  friends,  and  even  for  stran- 
gers. Easter  is,  on  that  account,  a  day  of  unbounded 
hospitality. 


OF    SIBERIA.  35 

recommend  them ;  but,  to  make  up  for  that, 
we  resolved  to  render  them  at  least  as  smart 
as  possible,  which  being  done,  we  descended, 
as  we  had  promised,  to  gratify  the  curiosity 
of  the  impatient  public. 

We  entered  the  room,  and  were  led  to  a 
place  of  honour,  where  we  seated  ourselves. 
Some  conventional  inquiries  were  made  of  us, 
which  we  civilly  answered,  and  were  then 
silent.  But,  to  my  shame  be  it  confessed,  I 
was  not  satisfied  with  the  charm  of  exchang- 
ing my  ideas  with  the  company,  but  looked 
right  and  left  to  see  if  there  was  a  table 
which  would  promise  some  more  substantial 
fare.  To  my  chagrin,  however,  I  was  unable 
to  catch  a  sight  of  anything  like  the  longed- 
for  henii. 

All  I  could  see  was  a  table  at  the  window, 
opposite  the  door,  covered  with  a  clean  white 
cloth  (emblematic  of  the  festival),  on  which 
were  arranged  three  small  plates,  one  con- 
taining a  frozen  apple  cut  in  tiny  slices  spread 
over  with  sugar ;  another  embellished  with 
a  few  raisins  ;  and  the  third  containing  some 
kind  of  nuts,  in  shells,  or  rather  husks,  of 
chesnut-brown  colour. 


36  EEVELATIONS 

The  hostess  took  up  these,  one  plate  after 
another,  from  the  table,  and  presented  us 
with  the  contents  of  each.  She  entreated, 
and  pressed  us  to  partake  of  them  ;  but  not- 
withstanding all  the  civility  with  which  she 
was  offering  them,  our  hunger  had  acquired 
such  a  poignancy,  that  all  her  kind  entreaties 
were  in  vain.  All  the  dainties  were  quite 
unsuited  to  our  palate.  I  now  learnt  that 
the  unknown  species  of  husky  fruit  which 
excited  my  curiosity,  were  cedar  nuts,  an 
importation  fr-om  Siberia. 

Having  waited  awhile,  and  lost  all  pros- 
pect of  a  more  solid  refreshment,  I  asked  our 
hostess  whether  she  had  prepared  something 
for  us,  and  especially  if  there  was  no  meat. 

However  I  was  astonished  to  find  from  her 
repty,  that  in  Eussia  no  preparations  whatever 
are  made  for  Easter ;  that  tables  are  not 
groaning  under  viands,  cakes,  and  all  sorts  of 
generous  food,  as  is  the  custom  in  Poland. 
In  short,  there  was  nothing  of  the  kind,  abso- 
lutely nothing.  All  we  could  get  was  harshtch 
with  some  meat  in  it,  which  we  ordered  to 
be  brought  up  to  our  room. 

After  recruiting   our  strength  with   this 


or    SIBERIA.  37 

humble  meal,  we  were  all  ready  for  depar- 
ture. But  circumstances  over  wkicli  we  had 
no  control  defeiTcd  this  event.  From  some 
reason  or  other  post-horses  could  not  be  got ; 
our  papers  were  not  yet  signed  by  the 
authorities ;  and  so  we  remained  all  day  in 
uncertainty  and  suspense.  At  last,  towards 
evening,  the  horses  were  brought ;  but  the 
papers  were  yet  wanting.  Oui'  Sergeant  was 
running  from  one  office  to  another  like  one 
enraged,  to  obtain  his  despatches,  but  could 
not  get  them.  In  this  state  of  perturba- 
tion we  remained  the  whole  night.  The 
postillion,  losing  all  patience,  took  back  his 
horses ;  and  we  ourselves,  seeing  what  was 
going  on,  began  to  feel  drowsy,  and  leaned 
our  heads  on  our  luggage  to  sleep.  At  day- 
break, the  Sergeant  returned,  not  having  suc- 
ceeded in  his  purpose.  Nevertheless,  he 
shortly  after  ordered  the  horses  to  be  put  to, 
hoping  there  would  be  a  chance  of  finding  the 
Director  of  Police  at  home  in  passing  his 
house.  He  was  directed  to  do  so  by  those 
who  knew  the  habits  of  that  official. 

When  we  left  our  quarters  the  sun  had  not 
yet  risen;  but  the  morning  was  beautiful. 
We  stopped  at  the  police-office,   and   the 


38  REVELATIONS 

Sergeant  descended  for  his  papers;  but  he 
returned  sadly  disappointed,  as  the  Director, 
having  passed  a  sleepless  night,  had  just  then 
gone  to  bed,  and  could  not  be  disturbed. 
Thus  we  were  again  doomed  to  wait  several 
hours  in  the  public  street.  Such  delay- 
was  exceedingly  annoying,  as  the  day 
was  brilliant,  and  most  favourable  for  our 
journey.  "We  witnessed  the  sun  rise  in  all 
his  splendour,  and  the  prolonged  twilight,  in 
so  large  a  city  as  Kazan,  seemed  like  the 
awaking,  or,  if  I  might  say  so,  the  unclos- 
ing of  the  eyelids  of  its  numerous  popula- 
tion, which  in  itself  was  something  fasci- 
nating. It  struck  me  that  those  who  are 
first  aroused  for  the  daily  toils  and  duties  in 
life,  or  who  are  among  the  earliest  risers  in 
towns,  constituted,  as  it  were,  a  separate 
family,  differirig  from  others  by  its  distinct 
physiognomy.  They  are  the  slavish  tools  to 
the  children  of  luxury,  and  are  made  sub- 
servient to  their  various  wants  and  comforts. 
Each  member  of  that  class  appears  to  be 
marked  on  his  forehead  by  this  double 
inscription:  ''Eeaduiess  for  labour — Neces- 
sity of  gain." 

I  often  looked  around  to  see  what  sort  of 


OF    SIBEEIA.  39 

city  Kazan  was.  As  far  as  I  was  enabled  to 
observe,  during  our  passage,  it  appeared  to 
be  a  fine  and  extensive  town,  with  a  good 
number  of  public  edifices,  and  neat  private 
houses,  built  of  brick.  Not  a  vestige  of  the 
former  domination  of  the  Tartars  exists  in  it, 
but  the  progress  of  European  civilisation  is 
everywhere  discernible.*  The  streets  are 
broad  and  well-paved.  There  is  a  university, 
an  astronomical  observatory,  a  gymnasium, 
and  some  manufactories,  all  of  which  make 
the  traveller  forget  that  he  is  in  the  capital, 
and  the  heart  of  the  country  of  the  once  so 
redoubtable  Tartars,  famous  in  Europe  by 
their  inroads,  conquests,  and  devastating 
ravages. 

After  the  lapse  of  several  houi's,  it  was 
announced  that  the  Dii'ector  had  risen.  It 
then  took  but  a  few  minutes  to  sign  the 
required  papers,    and    return    them  to  our 

*  A  great  fire,  wliich  took  place  in  1815,  destroyed 
nearly  the  whole  town,  except  the  Kremlin  and  a  few 
churches,  most  of  the  houses  being  built  of  wood;  so 
that,  with  these  exceptions,  no  vestiges  of  the  ancient 
city  remains.  Its  population  is  about  65,000,  one-fifth 
Tartar. 


40  REVELATIONS 

Sergeant;     and  now  we  were  at  liberty  to 
continue  our  journey. 

The  population  of  the  government  of  Kazan, 
both  on  the  right  and  the  left  bank  of  the 
Wolga,  consists  of  a  number  of  various  races, 
as  the  Tcheremisy,  Mordwini,  Tchuvatchs, 
Votiaks,  Vogulitches,  and  Tartars,  all  differ- 
ing from  each  other  in  language,  dress,  reli- 
gion, and  customs.  The  Tartars,  however, 
seemed  to  constitute  a  majority  among  the 
motley  crowd.  The  whole  aspect  of  the 
country  is  peculiarly  Asiatic.  Tillages  are 
built  of  wood,  most  of  them  with  high 
minarets,  also  of  wood.  Amidst  a  variety  of 
costumes,  white  turbans  may  at  times  be  seen 
adorning  the  heads  of  the  MoUahs,  and  also 
long  veils  concealing  the  faces  of  women. 

The  Tartar  women  wear  long  chemises, 
embroidered  in  front  with  coloured  worsted, 
and  this  is  all  their  apparel.  The  men,  if 
they  do  not  belong  to  the  religious  order,  are 
dressed  in  a  loose  costume,  very  much  resem- 
bling the  gabardines  of  the  Jews  in  Poland. 
It  consists  of  a  kaftan  with  short  sleeves, 
tight  round,  without  any  folds  in  front  or 
behind,  and  a  high-pointed  cap,  with  broad 


OF    SIBERIA.  41 

flaps  on  both,  sides,  lined  with  fiir.  Some 
Tartars,  also,  wear  full  coats,  like  our  dres- 
sing-gowns, and  small  caps  on  the  top  of  their 
heads,  similar  to  om-  jockey-caps,  or  the 
krymki  of  the  Polish  Jews. 

Throughout  our  jomney,  wherever  we 
stopped  for  a  relay  of  horses,  we  were  sur- 
rounded by  a  crowd  of  people,  at  first  curiously 
gazing  onus  as  visitors  from  a  distant  country, 
and  then  minutely  examining  all  our  pack- 
ages. Often,  as  if  not  trusting  the  evidence 
of  their  eyes,  they  stepped  nearer,  and 
touched  everything  that  had  engaged  their 
fancy  with  their  hands.  Women,  especially, 
were  very  eager  in  satisfying  their  curiosity ; 
in  which  respect  we  made  no  difficulty,  and 
permitted  them  to  inspect  eveiything  closely. 

This  politeness  on  our  part,  I  must  own, 
was  no  great  merit,  being  not  entirely  disin- 
terested. The  costumes  of  these  nymphs  of 
the  Wolga  were  lil^ewise  distinguished  by 
such,  an  originality,  that  we,  on  our  part,  were 
equally  curious  to  examine  them.  In  per- 
mitting them  a  near  approach,  we  were  only 
pandering  to  our  own  curiosity.  IN'early  at 
every  succeeding  station  such  a  variety  of 


42  REVELATIONS 

costume  was  presented  to  our  view,  as  though 
we  had  arrived  in  quite  a  different  country. 
The  head-coverings  of  some  were  in  the  shape 
of  tablets,  falling  in  a  perpendicular  line  on 
the  forehead.  Some  were  studded  with  a 
quantity  of  silver  and  gold  coins,  giving  forth 
a  sound  at  every  movement  of  the  head. 
Others  were  fashioned  in  the  shape  of 
diadems,  cut  out  at  the  top  in  the  form  of  a 
crescent,  the  ends  of  which  projected  on  both 
sides,  lilte  two  horns.  These  diadems,  as  well 
as  the  tablets,  were  adorned  with  a  number  of 
plates  and  studs  of  brass  and  of  other  metals. 
Some  females  had  their  bosoms  and  necks 
covered  with  silver  and  gold  medals  of  various 
sizes,  and  a  portion  being  bored  and  strung 
together,  formed  a  sort  of  costly  necklace. 

I  should  not  end  were  I  to  describe  all  the 
costumes  which  struck  me  as  exceedingly 
original  and  remarkable;  and,  indeed,  all 
description  would  fall  short  of  correctness. 
My  impressions,  though  gathered  on  the  spot, 
were  but  momentary,  and  I  noted  them  only 
in  memory,  having  neither  paper  nor  ink  to 
make  memoranda. 

At  one  of  the  post  stations  between  Kazan 


OF    SIBEEIA.  43 

and  Perm,  a  chief  of  a  village,  actuated,  as  I 
suspected,  less  by  politeness  than  curiosity, 
arrived  to  pay  his  respects  to  us.  He  was 
no  longer  young,  but  looked  robust.  He  was 
dressed  in  a  broad  kaftan,  with  a  turban  on 
his  head,  and  led  his  wife  by  the  hand,  whom 
he  presented  to  me.  A  long  veil  was  thrown 
over  her  head,  concealing  the  whole  of  her 
waist,  and  her  other  dress.  Her  face,  how- 
ever, was  uncovered  ;  but  it  was  horrible  to 
look  at,  so  thickly  was  it  overlaid  with  rouge, 
white  and  crimson  ;  and  her  eyebrows  were 
painted  jet-black.  It  bore  not  the  least  ap- 
pearance of  a  human  face,  but  more  that  of  a 
hideous  mask,  or  a  doll  made  of  parchment. 
Her  bedizened  visage,  and  her  fantastic  cos- 
tume, made  me  think  that  we,  at  that  moment, 
were  at  a  masquerade,  and  had  one  of  its 
most  perfect  patterns  before  us. 

It  was  not,  however,  long  before  I  repressed 
my  foolish  wonder  at  her  figure,  and  resumed 
an  earnest  countenance.  Having  formerly 
had  frequent  opportunities  of  seeing  the 
Tartars,  and  not  being  at  all  a  stranger  to 
their  manners,  I  entered  into  conversation 
with  this  strange  couple. 


44  REVELATIONS 

"How  many  wives  have  you  got?"  I 
asked  the  Mussulman. 

"  Four,"  replied  he. 

"  Why  did  you  not  bring  them  all  here  ?" 

"  All  the  others  are  old  and  ugly ;  I  never 
take  them  with  me.  This  one  is  but  thirty- 
two  years,  and  I  am  proud  of  her,"  answered 
he,  casting  a  doating  glance  on  his  better 
half. 

"  How  many  children  have  you  ?  " 

"  Only  four  sons  and  nine  daughters,"  re- 
plied he,  with  a  mournful  shake  of  his  head, 
as  if  desirous  we  should  pity  him. 

To  give  his  sorrow  on  that  account  a  ludi- 
crous turn,  I  continued : 

"  They  are  handsome,  lusty  maidens, 
sui-ely,  and  you  will  get  a  good  round  sum 
of  money  for  them." 

"  But  has  it  not  cost  me  much  to  rear 
them  ?  I  much  doubt  that  I  shall  get  back 
my  money,"  replied  he. 

Such  was  this  worthy  and  calculating 
pater  fmnilias  of  the  Steppe. 


or   SIBERIA.  45 


CHAPTEE    III. 

Perm — New  villages — Ural  Mountains — Ekaterinburg — 
A  roguish  innkeeper — Post- carts — Defects  of  female 
education — Tumen — Anationalrelic — Tobolsk — Com- 
patriots in  Exile — Devotedness  of  a  young  lady — De- 
parture — Inundation  —  Bronikov — Counter-order  to 
return. 

Feom  Kazan  to  Perm,  we  continued  oui* 
journey  amidst  a  barbarous  population,  rem- 
nants of  different  nations  and  races,  of  which, 
at  a  period  not  far  distant,  the  ancient  Tartar 
Khanate  of  Kazan  was  composed.  "We  ar- 
rived at  last  at  Perm,  which  is  now  the 
capital  of  the  Government  of  that  name.  It 
is  a  mean  and  poor  town,  on  the  river  Kama, 
with  a  scanty  population,  amounting  to  only 


46  REVELATIONS 

seven  thousand  inhabitants.  Sixty  years  ago, 
it  was  but  a  small  village ;  but  the  Eussian 
Government,  finding  it  necessary  to  have  a 
central  place  for  the  new  Government,  created 
it  into  a  city  in  1781,  since  which  time  it  has 
been  materially  enlarged. 

Perm  may  be  said  to  be  at  the  base  of  the 
Ural  Mountains.  On  quitting  this  town,  we 
found  ourselves  at  the  foot  of  those  heights, 
and  could  behold  their  stupendous  summits. 
It  is  here  that  the  earth  has  opened  rich 
stores  of  wealth  to  human  labour  and  industry. 
We  saw  large,  beautiful,  and  populous 
villages,  like  as  many  infant  towns  springing 
up  around,  some  of  them  with  hundreds  of 
neat,  well-built,  and  comfortable  houses. 
Their  rapid  growth  struck  us  with  amaze- 
ment, and  agreeably  engaged  our  attention. 
Everywhere  we  saw  industry  and  labour 
recompensed  by  wealth  and  comforts.  The 
soul  seemed  to  expand  at  this  change  from 
low  and  miserable  hovels  by  the  side  of 
stateljyand  magnificent  palaces.  Far  and 
near  we  beheld  prosperity,  and  not  a  single 
mean  or  poor  cottage  along  the  whole  of  the 
macadamised  chaussee. 


OF    SIBERIA.  47 

At  the  sight  of  villages  of  two  hundred  to 
three  himdi-ed  houses,  well-built,  spacious, 
and  erected  not  without  some  display  of 
architectural  taste,  all  equal  in  dimensions, 
in  regular  rows,  and  new  and  fresh  as  though 
they  were  constructed  at  once,  and  within  a 
single  day,  my  mind  was  led  to  consider 
what  this  region,  not  long  ago  a  complete 
desert,  owed  to  the  powerful  hand  which  re- 
claimed it — not  for  gorgeous  palaces,  to  be 
tenanted  by  the  luxurious  and  pampered  few, 
or  for  stupendous  monuments  to  flatter  the 
vanity  of  the  mighty  and  the  proud,  but  for 
what  is,  indeed,  far  more  commendable — hand- 
some and  comfortable  dwellings  for  many 
thousands  of  human  beings,  in  reward  for 
their  labour.  The  spot  bore  the  appearance  of 
being  on  a  sudden  created  by  means  of  a  magic 
power.  That  creative  power  is  nothing  else 
than  industry,  directed  by  intelligence,  and 
combined  with  labour  and  perseverance. 

These  flourishing  villages  are  occupied  by 
colonies  of  artizans  and  miners  employed  in  the 
mining  works.  They  go  by  the  appellation 
of  Zavody.  Some  of  them  are  the  property 
of  the  Crown,  others  of  Eussian  nobles. 


48  REVELATIONS 

The  whole  ridge  of  the  Ural  Mountains 
is  furrowed  up  by  mines,  chiefly  of  iron  and 
copper.  Some,  however,  yield  the  more 
precious  metals,  and  also  valuable  stones. 

On  our  passage  over  the  heights,  at  the 
stations  where  we  changed  horses,  we  fre- 
quently had  pictures  offered  to  us  for  sale — a 
circumstance  I  little  expected  in  a  region  so 
little  famed  for  the  fine  arts.     They  were 
productions  of  the  villagers ;  and  the  objects 
represented  were,  for  the  most  part,  the  Virgin 
Mary  and  the  Saints  of  the  Greek  Church 
— gaudy  and  coarse  daubings  on  wood,  with 
nothing  particular  to  recommend  them.    But 
what  attracted  my  attention  far  more,  was  the 
landscapes,  in  which  these  figures,  the  objects 
of  so    much  veneration,    were   represented 
standing.     These  landscapes  were  relievos  of 
mosaic,  formed  of  a  multiplicity  of  various- 
coloured  stones,  large  and  small,  not  polished, 
but  such  as  are  found  in  their  natural  state. 
Topazes  white  and  pale,   amethysts,  aqua- 
marines, cornelians,  blood  stones,  emeralds, 
chalcedonies,  and  otherSj  when  so  combined, 
produce  a  wonderful  effect ;  and,  undeniably, 
the  conception  is  no  less  original  than  striking. 


OF    SIBERIA.  49 

The  range  of  the  Uralian  Mountains  is  of 
enormous  extent.  The  road  from  Perm  to 
Ekatarinburg  runs  in  an  oblique  direction, 
and  therefore  its  real  breadth  cannnot  be 
exactly  defined  ;  but  as  the  chausee  was  con- 
stantly ascending,  and  we  were  passing  on  it 
from  one  acclivity  to  another  for  several  days, 
the  distance  may  safely  be  computed  at  se- 
veral hundi-ed  miles.  The  road  on  which  we 
travelled  was  well  made  and  even,  as  are, 
upon  the  whole,  all  roads  constructed  by 
the  Government. 

The  mountains  are  covered  with  forest, 
spreading  over  cliffs  of  colossal  height,  which 
protrude  in  a  fearful  manner.  These  gigantic 
masses,  rising  from  their  bases  like  so 
many  castellated  structures  —  some  con- 
tiguous, other  at  greater  distances  from 
each  other,  standing  apart  solitary,  bare  and 
impending,  look  like  giants  under  the 
power  of  enchantment,  placed  here  to  combat 
storms  and  drifts  of  snow,  which  in  vain  try 
to  shake  or  entomb  them.  Others,  of  a  bulk 
less  stupendous,  rear  thefr  summits  one 
upon  another,  forming  themselves  into  huge 
pyramids ;  while  some  are  thrown  into  the 

VOL.    I.  D 


50  REVELATIONS 

most  fantastic  shapes,  as  though  an  invisible 
hand,  playing  with  their  enormous  peaks, 
had  scattered  them  at  hazard  around.  Prime- 
val forests,  and  trees  of  centennial  growth, 
spread  out  their  broad  branches  in  vain  to 
conceal  the  nakedness  of  these  giants,  tower- 
ing in  the  vast  desert ;  they,  through  winter 
and  through  summer,  ever  remain  the  sam.e — 
and  ever  Avill ! 

Having  crossed  this  sterile  tract,  we  ar- 
rived at  Ekatarinburg,  nother  beautiful  town 
of  the  Government  of  Perm,  far  superior  to 
the  capital  of  the  province. 

This  flourishing  town  lies  on  the  Iset. 
At  the  first  glance  at  this  river,  it  became 
manifest,  from  the  character  of  its  cmTcnt, 
that  it  did  not  emerge  fi-om  the  Uralian  range ; 
as  all  rivers  originating  in  these  mountains, 
pm-sue  their  course  westward,  and  then, 
branching  out  in  southern  and  northern  direc- 
tions, one  set  empty  their  waters  into  the 
Caspian  Sea,  and  the  other  into  the  Arctic 
Ocean.  We  immediately  observed  that  the 
cmTcnts  took  a  contrary,  that  is,  an  easterly 
direction,  emptying  themselves  into  the  Oby, 
The  latter,  one   of   the   grandest   rivers  of 


OF   SIBERIA.  51 

Siberia,  after  taking  up  its  iniiumerable  tribu- 
taries from  the  west,  the  south,  and  the 
east — overflowing  by  its  ramifications  vast 
countries  in  its  coui-se,  falls  through  the  Oby 
Gulf  into  the  Arctic  Ocean. 

Ekatarinbm-g  is  one  of  the  towns  founded 
in  1723,  and  contains  a  good  number  of  fine 
buildings.  It  is  the  central  point  of  the  ad- 
ministration of  mining,  with  a  mint  estab- 
lished by  Government,  and  is  tolerably 
populous.  It  is,  besides,  celebrated  for  its 
mines  and  iron-works,  its  mineral  ores,  and 
its  process  of  polishing  precious  stones.* 
Gems  of  every  kind,  and  all  sorts  of  jewellery, 
can  be  had  here  at  a  very  moderate  price. 
Amethysts,  opals,  chalcedonies,  clnysolites, 

*  This  town  is  particularly  celebrated  for  its  mala- 
chite works,  specimens  of  which,  as  a  magnificent 
folding- door,  superb  tables,  chairs,  and  vases,  were  dis- 
played at  the  Great  Exhibition,  The  richest  mines  of 
malachite  are  Dimidof's  property.  On  this  spot,  the 
rough  blocks  of  malachite,  according  to  Cottrell's  state- 
ment, are  sold  for  eight  hundred  rubles  the  pud,  or 
about  a  guinea  a-pound.  It  is  not  the  mineral  itself 
that  is  expensive ;  but,  from  its  extreme  hardness,  the 
working  and  polishing  are  very  difficult,  and  enhance 
its  value. 

D   2 


52  EEVELATIONS 

topazes,  aquamarines,  emeralds,  and  a  variety 
of  rock-crystals,  are  exposed  for  sale  in  great 
quantities,  polished  and  unpolished;  and 
some  are  not  inelegantly  set.  But  like  a 
famished  Arab,  who  happened  to  find  in  the 
desert  a  bag  filled  with  pearls,  and  kicked  it 
away  with  his  foot,  saying :  "  These  were  but 
pearls,"  so  I  cast  myself  a  look  of  complete 
indifference  at  them,  obliged  to  move  on,  on — 
and  still  on.  Had  it  depended  upon  my  own 
will,  indeed,  I  certainly  should  have  stayed 
awhile  longer.  The  survey  I  could  then  have 
taken  of  the  mining  establishments  and  the 
different  manufactories,  as  well  as  the  manner 
of  liviag,  and  the  social  condition  of  the  inhabi- 
tants, would,  I  am  sure,  have  afibrded  me 
much  pleasure.  The  well-being  of  human  com- 
munities in  happy  groups,  is  a  matter  at  once  as 
dear  to  the  heart  as  instructive  to  the  mind  ; 
but  the  study  of  such  a  picture  was  not  for  me ! 
Up  to  this  time  the  sledge  was  our  vehicle, 
and  the  roads  being  good  and  even,  we 
travelled  at  a  tolerably  good  pace.  We  were 
constantly  moving  in  the  eastward  direction, 
in  which  we  hoped  to  continue  till  we  should 
reach  Tobolsk.    But  on  our  arrival  at  Ekata- 


OF    SIBERIA.  53 

rinburg  matters  changed,  and  instead  of  snow 
and  frost,  there  was  a  thaw,  and  the  horses 
waded  with  our  sledge  knee-deep  in  mud  and 
mire. 

This  was  a  great  disappointment,  and  a 
serious  annoyance  to  us.  We  were  obliged 
to  put  up  at  an  inn,  and  our  Sergeant,  impa- 
tient to  proceed,  went  to  make  inquiries  as  to 
the  state  of  the  road,  and  to  effect  arrange- 
ments accordingly.  On  his  return,  he 
brought  us  the  disagreeable  news,  that  on  the 
road  to  Tobolsk  no  snow  was  to  be  found,  and 
therefore  it  would  be  necessary  to  abandon 
our  sledge. 

Nothing  could  be  more  provoking.  Our 
combined  purses  being  very  light,  and  we 
having  little  chance  of  seeing  them  soon  re- 
plenished, we  found  it  impossible  to  procure  a 
spring  carriage  of  the  meanest  description. 
In  this  dilemma  we  were  advised  to  take  a 
miserable  Eussian  post-waggon  {jperek-ladna). 

There  was  no  time  to  deliberate.  Our 
comfortable  sledge  became  the  property  of 
the  innkeeper,  who,  "  feeling  for  our  situa- 
tion, (as  he  said,)  and  out  of  pure  magna- 
nimity,"   paid    a    few  rubles   for  it  to  our 


54  REVELATIONS 

Sergeant.  Unwilling  as  we  were,  we  un- 
packed allj  and  put  our  luggage,  as  well  as 
we  could,  on  the  new  vehicle,  and  so  set  off. 

Here  I  cannot  help  saying,  without  fear  of 
being  accused  of  affectation,  that  the  Eussian 
post  vehicles,  or  more  properly,  common  carts, 
sometimes  called  tarantas^  are  insufierable — 
nay,  detestable.  For  this  seeming  fastidious- 
ness, if  I  should  be  taxed  with  it,  my  sex,  my 
age,  and  my  previous  habits,  must  plead  an 
apology.  These  carts  are  high  and  short,  and 
from  this  peculiar  construction,  are  exceed- 
ingly shaky.  They  are  very  shallow,  and 
much  higher  in  front  than  behind,  which 
renders  it  extremely  difficult  to  sit  on  them, 
and  keep  one's  balance.  Consequently,  at 
every  concussion,  I  was  made  to  jump  up  a 
quarter  of  a  yard  high,  to  the  complete  dislo- 
cation of  my  joints.  At  such  jerks  and  jolts, 
tears  involuntarily  gushed  from  my  eyes. 

We  gladly  left  Ekatarinburg,  where  the 
streets  were  all  mud  and  mire,  and  proceeded 
on  our  tedious  journey.  To  our  surprise,  we 
had  hardly  gone  one  verst  from  the  to^vn, 
when  we  found  the  road  again  covered  with 
snow.     As  we  went  on  the  snow  grew  deeper, 


OP    SIBERIA.  55 

and  wherever  the  eye  turned,  its  white  mantle 
covered  the  earth.  I  now  entered  into  con- 
versation with  our  diiver  [yamstchik\  and 
learnt,  to  my  utter  astonishment,  that  with 
the  exception  of  Ekatarinbui^g,  we  should 
meet  nothing  but  snow  through  the  whole 
road  to  Tobolsk.  He  also  told  me  that  all  tht^ 
people  at  the  post-station  had  been  at  a  loss 
to  understand  how  we  could  wish  to  ex- 
change our  comfortable  sledge  for  our  present 
odious  vehicle. 

Instantly,  a  thought  flashed  across  my  mind, 
that  we  were  the  victims  either  of  some  knavish 
trick,  or  some  misimderstanding,  and,  order- 
ing the  driver  to  stop,  I  called  the  Sergeant, 
and  communicated  to  him  what  I  had  heard, 
at  the  same  time  inquiring  where  he  had 
obtained  his  information  that  there  was  no 
snow  on  the  road  to  Tobolsk — a  report,  which, 
as  he  himself  might  see,  was  not  true. 

From  the  Sergeant's  answer,  it  appeared 
that  his  inquiries  had  been  confined  to  our 
inn;  and  the  inkeeper,  from  the  paltry  motive 
of  profiting  by  the  purchase  of  our  sledge,  had 
imposed  upon  him,  and  placed  us  in  this 
dismal  plight.     Enraged,  however,  at  such 


56  REVELATIONS 

infamous  conduct,  and  ashamed  of  being  so 
grossly  cheated,  he  instantly  despatched  two 
gens-d'armes  to  Ekatarinburg,  with  the 
money  which  he  had  got  from  the  innkeeper, 
to  demand  the  restitution  of  our  sledge ;  and 
should  this  be  refused,  they  were  to  complain 
to  the  authorities. 

Meanwhile,  we  went  on  to  the  next  station, 
there  to  await  the  result.  On  our  arrival 
there,  I  was  so  extremely  tired,  and  felt  so 
ill,  that  I  was  not  very  sorry  at  the  occasion 
thus  offered  for  a  moment's  repose,  knowing 
that  the  gens-d'armes  could  not  return  for 
some  time. 

After  long  expectation,  they  at  length 
came  back,  but  brought  no  sledge.  The 
magnanimous  purchaser,  who  had  bought  it 
for  several  rubles,  "  in  consideration  of  our 
position,"  would  on  no  account  part  with  the 
excellent  bargain  he  had  made;  and  the 
authorities,  to  whom  the  case  was  referred, 
decided  that,  as  the  money  had  been  accepted, 
and  the  purchase  was  made  in  consequence 
of  a  voluntary  agreement  on  both  sides,  they 
saw  no  reason  for  reversing  the  transaction. 

Thus  having  lost  our  cause,  and  in  addition 


OF   SIBERIA.  57 

several  rubles  for  the  hire  of  horses  for  the 
gens-d'armes,  nothing  remained  but  to  pro- 
ceed in  our  own  wretched  cart,  which,  by- 
the-bye,  we  could  have  given  us  at  every 
post-station,  as  we  had  a  right  to  demand  it. 
Instead  of  this  wheel-cart,  however,  to  our 
great  delight,  each  of  the  succeeding  stations 
accommodated  us  with  sledges,  and  hence- 
forward we  found  our  travelling  more 
comfortable :  at  least  we  ran  no  risk  of  being 
shaken  to  atoms. 

The  only  inconvenience  now  was,  that  on 
our  arrival  at  each  station  we  had  to  transfer 
our  luggage  from  sledge  to  sledge — an 
operation  which  was  at  first  very  annoying, 
as  I  had  no  servant.  Insignificant  as  this 
circumstance  may  appear,  it  made  me  often 
reflect  on  the  defects  of  our  system  of  educa- 
tion, in  consequence  of  which  so  large  a  class 
of  females  are  made  completely  dependent  on 
the  services  of  hirelings.  I  firmly  determined 
for  the  futm^e  to  get  rid,  on  my  part,  of 
such  an  injmious  habit,  and  did  not  at  all 
regret  that  an  opportunity  was  then  offered 
for  my  entering  at  once  upon  that  practical 
course. 

D   3 


58  REVELATIONS 

At  last  we  arrived  in  the  Government  of 
Tobolsk.  Those  only  who  have  had  to  per- 
form so  long  a  jonrney,  equally  tedious  and 
uncomfortable,  can  conceive  how  agreeable  it 
was  to  be  able  to  contemplate  its  termination, 
however  unpromising  and  uninviting  might 
be  the  spot  before  us.  In  painfal  situations, 
change  of  place  gives  relief;  and  it  is  like 
that  which  is  experienced  by  the  bed-ridden 
when  they  turn  on  their  other  side. 

Still,  Tobolsk  itself  was  not  so  near.  "We 
had  yet  to  traverse  a  thousand  versts.* 
Nevertheless,  my  imagination  had  already 
become  familiarised  with  great  distances. 
The  whole  difficulty  lies  in  the  termination 
of  the  first  half  of  our  journey ;  and  the  other 
half,  at  every  step  made  iu  advance,  becomes 
by  degrees  more  endurable. 

A  thinly-inliabited  steppe,  little  better  than 
a  desert,  brought  us  to  the  small  town  of 
Tumen,  situated  at  250  versts  from  Tobolsk. 
This  is  the  principal  town  of  the  district, 
which  is  called  by  the  same  name,  and  is  di- 
vided into  two  parts  by  the  river  Tara.     I 

*•  A  Eussian  tverst  is  equal  to  about  tkree-quarters  of 
an  English  mile. 


OF    SIBERIA.  59 

observed  there  were  some  manufacturing  es- 
tablishments here,  and  among  them,  a  foundry 
for  church  bells. 

On  the  bank  of  the  Tara  I  saw  a  building 
erected  by  the  inhabitants  to  preserve  the 
boat  in  which  Alexander,  the  heir-apparent 
to  the  Russian  crown,  was  ferried  across  the 
river,  when  on  his  visit  to  Siberia,  if  I  am 
not  mistaken,  in  1835.  The  boat  is  lined 
inside  with  a  green  woollen  cloth,  and  is 
sui-mounted  by  a  canopy  of  wood,  hung  with 
white  curtains.  The  chair  of  state,  in  the 
shape  of  a  throne,  is  of  red  damask,  and  is 
set  with  the  Emperor's  portrait,  crowned  by 
his  cypher. 

This  incidental  visit  of  the  Grand  Duke 
is  remembered  as  a  great  epoch  at  Tumen. 
The  principal  inhabitants  of  the  to^vn  es- 
teemed it  an  honour  to  be  permitted  to  ferry 
their  august  visitor  over  the  river,  and  the 
Prince,  to  mark  his  sense  of  the  coui'tesy 
shown  him  on  that  occasion,  condescended  to 
leave  an  autograph  of  his  name  on  the  edge 
of  the  boat,  and  ordered  the  names  of  ten  of 
the  merchants  of  Tumen  to  be  added  under 
his  o-wTi.     The   loyal    citizens,    to    preserve 


60  REVELATIONS 

these  signatures,  put  them  under  a  glass. 
The  boat-house  is  kept  locked  up,  and  shown 
as  a  national  edifice. 

Starting  from  Tumen,  we  arrived  in  due 
time  at  Tobolsk,  the  capital  of  Western  Si- 
beria. "We  had  been  just  a  month  on  our 
journey,  having  left  Kiev  on  the  11th  of 
March,  and  arrived  at  Tobolsk  on  the  11th 
of  April.  We  had  throughout  a  very  easy 
sledge  journey,  there  being  plenty  of  snow 
on  the  roads,  though  on  approaching  Tobolsk 
it  commenced  to  thaw,  and  torrents  of 
melted  snow  were  rushing  from  the  hills. 
Obviously  the  beams  of  the  vernal  sun  began 
to  manifest  their  genial  influence. 

Having  gone  through  all  the  forms  at  the 
police-office,  in  accordance  with  the  usage  on 
the  arrival  of  passengers,  we  put  up  at  a 
guest-house  (goscinnica),  which  is  an  inn  ex- 
clusively destined  for  the  class  of  exiles  to 
which  we  belonged,  and  contains  several 
suites  of  rooms,  in  which  they  are  lodged. 
Worn-out  with  a  whole  month's  constant 
travelling,  I  was  delighted  to  find  myself  in 
a  comfortable  room,  where  I  no  longer  heard 
the  tinkling  of  the  post-bells,  and  was  not 


OP   SIBERIA.  61 

pressed  to  travel  on  and  on,  but  free  to  dis- 
pose of  my  time  as  I  chose. 

In  this  delicious  state  of  tranquil  repose  I 
almost  forgot  that  I  had  still  a  weary  journey 
before  me — for  I  had  not  yet  reached  my 
destination.  In  the  meantime,  masses  of 
snow  began  to  melt ;  waters  to  rush  in 
furious  torrents  along  the  roads  ;  and  rivers 
to  overflow.  In  short,  everything  seemed 
to  prognosticate  that  all  travelling  for  the 
present  and  for  some  time  to  come  must  cease, 
and  the  more  so  as  there  was  no  practicable 
road  from  Tobolsk  to  Berezov,  except  on  the 
river,  either  through  its  waters,  or  over  its 
bridge  of  ice.  Hence  I  inferred  I  should 
most  probably  remain  some  time  at  Tobolsk. 

Very  soon  after  my  arrival  I  gradually 
began  to  get  an  insight  into  a  life  new  to  me. 
It  was  not  long  before  I  found  myself  in  a 
circle  of  new  associates,  old  and  new  ac- 
quaintances, some  even  of  our  own  neigh- 
bourhood, who  had  been  brought  before  me 
to  Tobolsk.  I  there  met  Major  Szreder,  a 
native  of  Grand  Poland,  and  companion-in- 
arms of  Severin  Krzyzanowski ;  Antony 
Pawsza,  of  Yolhynia  ;   Constantino  "Wolicki ; 


62  REVELATIONS 

Onufry  Pietraszkiewicz,  of  Wilna  ;  Ignatius 
Strumillo,  of  Yolhynia ;  Stanislaus  and 
Eaphael  Kiersnowski,  brothers,  of  the 
Palatine  of  Novogroclek.  Count  Charles 
Marchocki  had  arrived  only  a  few  days  pre- 
viously. Their  company  had  the  effect  of 
at  least  alleviating,  though  not  dispelling, 
our  anxious  longings  after  those  at  home, 
whom  it  was  impossible  our  hearts  should 
ever  forget. 

Three  days  had  been  agreeably  passed  in 
thi  s  fi'iendly  circle,  and  we  had  commenced 
making  arrangements  for  a  longer  sojourn  at 
Tobolsk,  when  on  the  fourth  day  we  were  all 
three  unexpectedly  summoned  to  the  Civil 
Governor's,  who  announced  that  we  had 
rested  long  enough,  and  must  prepare  without 
any  delay  for  our  onward  journey  ;  I  was  to 
proceed  to  Berezov,  the  farthest  north,  and 
my  companions  to  Tarra,  in  the  south.  The 
destination  of  the  latter  was  comparatively 
less  unfavoui'able  than  mine,  Tarra  being  a 
district  town  of  Siberia,  and  like  Tobolsk, 
situated  on  the  Irtish. 

Notwithstanding  all  the  natural  advan- 
tages of  the  climate,  and  many  other  comforts 


OF    SIBERIA.  63 

which  Tarra  seemed  to  afford,  and  which 
were  hardly  to  be  compared  with  those  of 
Berezov — a  town  one  thousand  seven  hun- 
di'ed  versts  distant  from  Tobolsk,  in  the 
remote  north — Miss  Josephine  Ezonczewska, 
who  hitherto  was  thecompanion  of  my  journey, 
requested  permission  to  exchange  the  place 
of  her  destination  for  mine,  and  accompany 
me  to  Berezov — a  noble  proof  of  her  friend- 
ship, which  I  felt  in  the  depths  of  my  heart. 
I  did  my  utmost,  however,  to  dissuade  her 
from  such  sacrifice  for  me  ;  but  she  would 
not  relinquish  her  determination.  Permis- 
sion was  not  obtained  from  the  authorities 
without  great  difficulty  and  hesitation, 
but  at  last  it  was  granted. 

The  17th  of  April  was  fixed  for  our  depar- 
ture; and,  after  taking  leave  of  our  compa- 
triots, we  set  out  on  our  journey,  again  in 
sledges,  on  the  river  Irtish,  which  was  still 
all  ice-bound. 

We  saw  the  melted  snow  rushing  in  tor- 
rents from  the  steep  banks,  and  the  adjacent 
hills,  into  the  river,  which  overflowed  to  a 
greatextent,  but  its  ice  being  thick  and  strong, 
and  besides  still  adhering  fast  to  the  banks, 


64  EEYELATIONS 

had  not  yet  sufficiently  risen,  as  it  otherwise 
wouldj  to  float  high  and  free  on  the  swollen 
waters.  It  was  a  complete  inundation — a 
deluge  ;  and  in  many  places  our  horses  had 
to  cross  deep  and  extensive  pools.  Not 
seeing  his  way,  our  coachman  several  times 
ran  the  risk  of  drowning  his  horses  in  holes 
cut  in  the  ice,  which  it  is  the  custom  to  do  in 
those  parts  in  winter,  for  the  purpose  of 
fishing,  or  to  water  the  cattle. 

Our  danger  and  difficulties  increased  the 
further  we  proceeded.  Often  our  horses 
and  the  sledges  sank  into  such  deep  hollows, 
and  into  pits  of  melting  snow,  that  it  required 
a  number  of  people  to  drag  them  out.  For- 
tunately two  Cossacks  of  Berezov  had  been 
sent  with  us  as  guides,  and  were  famished 
with  a  written  order  from  the  Governor, 
authorizing  them  to  ask  for  any  number  of 
hands  in  case  of  need  ;  accordingly  we  were 
accompanied  from  village  to  village  by  a 
convoy  of  several  men  on  horseback,  armed 
with  shovels  and  poles,  who  rendered  us  good 
service.  Notwithstanding  the  assistance  we 
thus  received,  we  did  not  on  the  first  day 
reach  even  so  far  as  the  next  post-station,  and 


OF    SIBERIA.  65 

were  obliged  to  pass  the  night  on  the 
road. 

The  following  day  at  noon  we  sncceeded  in 
reaching  a  village  called  Bronikov,  about 
thirty-six  versts  beyond  Tobolsk.  This  is 
the  remotest  station  at  which  the  road  by 
land  from  Tobolsk  to  Berezov  terminates; 
there  being  during  the  summer  no  road 
whatever  in  that  northern  direction,  but 
persons  who  go  thither  are  obliged  to  proceed 
by  water.  Bronikov  is  colonized  by  Eussian 
settlers. 

Our  guides,  convinced  of  the  utter  imprac- 
ticability of  proceeding  any  farther,  as  many 
other  conveyances  had  been  brought  to  a 
stand  at  this  place,  and  were  waiting  the 
change  of  season,  came  to  a  halt,  and  sent  a 
report  to  the  Governor,  acquainting  him  with 
our  detention. 

Unpleasant  as  it  was  to  remain,  perhaps 
for  the  space  of  a  whole  month,  in  so  desolate 
a  place,  consigned  to  a  wretched  hovel,  without 
any  society  whatever,  and  even  without  the 
means  of  procuring  the  most  indispensable 
necessaries  of  life,  we  were  obliged  to  resign 
ourselves  to  our  fate.     Work  and  reading  are 


66  REVELATIOI^S 

the  usual  resources  of  females  in  similar 
cases,  but  of  these  we  had  but  a  limited 
supply.  The  tenement  where  we  were  lodged 
belonged  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Post,  and 
he  had  but  temporarily  conceded  it  to  us,  so 
that  we  could  not  employ  ourselves  in  forming 
a  household. 

Meanwhile,  the  Governor  received  the 
intelligence  of  our  detention,  and  thought  it 
better  to  countermand  our  journey,  and  wait 
till  a  more  advanced  season  should  render 
the  river  navigable.  The  counter-order  was 
on  two  accounts  highly  consolatory  to  me. 
Instead  of  being  compelled,  as  I  should  have 
been,  to  spend  my  time  in  irksome  solitude, 
imprisoned  within  the  walls  of  a  miserable 
hut,  in  a  small  and  dirty  village,  it  promised 
me  the  agreeable  society  of  my  compatriots  ; 
and  after  the  worry  and  fatigue  I  had  suffered 
throughout  my  progress  by  land,  and  its 
pernicious  effect  on  my  health,  the  prospect 
of  completing  my  long  journey  by  the  river 
could  not  but  give  me  great  pleasure,  as  I 
should  no  longer  be  exposed  to  the  severe 
jolting  of  the  road,  and  Avliile  secure  of  good 
rest  at  night,  might  sometimes  walk  on  the 


OF    SIBERIA.  67 

deck  diu'liig  the  day,  working  or  reading  as 
I  pleased,  and  so  I  hoped  in  time  to  recruit 
my  strength. 

We  retraced  our  steps  to  Tobolsk,  not  by 
our  previous  route  on  the  Irtish,  the  river 
being  now  impassable,  but  by  an  ordinary 
road  used  in  summer.  I  need  not  say  how 
delighted  we  were  at  finding  ourselves  again 
amidst  our  old  friends,  and  how  they  also 
rejoiced  to  welcome  us  on  our  return. 


68  REVELATIONS 


CHAPTEE  lY. 

Sojourn  at  Tobolsk — Lower  and  Tipper  Town — Edifices 
— Interview  with  an  exiled  Colonel — "Walks  on  the 
Irtish — Tobola — Public  garden — Visit  from  the  exile 
Advance  of  spring — Breaking  of  ice  on  the  Irtish — 
Axgali  deer. 

As  we  had  to  stay  several  weeks  at 
Tobolsk,  it  was  necessary  to  look  for  lodgings. 
Another  of  our  country womenj  an  old  friend 
and  neighbour  of  mine,  who  had  arrived 
shortly  before,  found  herself  in  the  same 
situation,  and  we  agreed  to  take  a  house,  and 
live  together. 

Spring  now  approached  with  rapid  pace. 
Snow  was  disappearing  from  the  streets,  the 
fields,  and  all  the  environs.  We  lived  in  the 
lower  part  of  the  town,  which  was  without 


OF    SIBEEIA.  69 

any  pavement ;  but  as  the  streets  were  laid 
with  planks  and  large  trunks  of  trees,  we 
were  able,  on  fine  days,  to  take  our  walks  in 
town  without  much  inconvenience,  and  thus 
make  acquaintance  with  the  capital  of  Siberia. 

Tobolsk  lies  on  the  right  banli  of  the  Irtish. 
Most  of  its  houses  are  built  of  wood,  not 
painted  outside,  and  only  very  rarely  inside. 
They  look  dusty  and  mean,  and  the  town 
has  a  sombre  uninviting  aspect.  But  a  small 
number  of  the  houses  are  of  brick,  and  these 
chiefly  belong  to  a  more  respectable  class  of 
merchants.  There  are  eleven  churches,  all 
brick  structures. 

Among  the  principal  buildings,  the  Go- 
vernor's Palace  holds  the  first  place.  It  is 
two  stories  high ;  another,  and  equally  stately 
edifice,  was  built  by  Swedish  prisoners, 
taken  at  the  famous  battle  of  Pultawa;  a 
third,  is  the  residence  of  the  Archbishop  of 
all  Siberia.  These  three  edifices  are  all 
situated  on  an  eminence,  and  may  be  said  to 
constitute,  as  it  were,  the  basis  of  what  is 
termed  the  "Higher  Town." 

Below  on  a  plain,  or  more  properly  a 
peninsula  wliich  is  formed  by  a  winding  of 


70  REVELATIONS 

the  Irtish,  lies  the  "Lower  Town."  The 
site  being  low,  and  not  much  above  the  level 
of  the  river,  it  is  exceedingly  damp.  Both 
the  towns,  as  well  as  all  the  environs,  are 
too  level  to  allow  of  a  single  fine  view ;  and 
the  total  absence  of  buildings  remarkable  for 
grandeur,  either  in  their  dimensions  or  in 
architectural  beauty,  make  all  the  streets 
look  alike.  It  is  not  to  Tobolsk  that  the 
sight-hunters  should  go  to  gratify  their 
curiosity.  Only  those  who  have  long  been 
resident  in  this  place,  and  have  become  more 
familiar  with  the  diiferent  localities,  can 
point  out  any  difference  between  one  set  of 
streets  and  another ;  such  distinctions  totally 
escape  the  eye  of  a  casual  visitor. 

During  one  of  my  walks,  being  accompa- 
nied by  some  friends,  I  paid  a  visit  to  Colonel 
Severin  Krzyzanowsld.  He  was  a  poor  in- 
valid; both  his  feet  are  paralyzed,  and  he 
never  quits  his  chamber.*     One  of  our  com- 

*  Colonel  Krzyzanowski  is  one  of  the  many  victims 
of  the  reign  of  the  Emperor  Nicholas.  He  had  been  a 
most  distinguished  officer  in  the  Polish  army,  and  fought 
many  battles  under  [Napoleon.  He  was  accused,  with 
other  Poles,  of  complicity  in  the  celebrated  Pestel  con- 


OF    SIBERIA.  71 

pany,  M,  Omifry  Pietraszkiewicz,  preceded 
us  to  apprise  the  Colonel  of  our  approach; 
and  we  waited  in  an  outer  room  while  his 
nurse,  a  German,  prepared  for  our  reception. 

In  about  a  quarter  of  an  hour  the  Colonel 
was  ready  to  receive  us,  and  being  ushered  in 
we  found  him  sitting  in  a  deep  arm-chair,  a  la 
Voltaire^  propped  up  on  both  sides,  liis  iniu'm 
debilitated  body  requiring  those  supports. 

His  long,  thin  hair  was  snow-white — 
bleached,  as  it  appeared,  by  premature  age, 
brought  on  by  much  suffering,  and  it  fell  down 

spiracy  in  Russia,  but  the  crime  could  not  be  substan- 
tiated against  them,  and  they  were  all  Ja^nourably 
acquitted  by  the  High  Court  at  Warsaw  in  1828. 
Although  a  Pole,  yet  being  born  in  the  Ukraine,  Colonel 
Krzyzanowski  was  claimed  by  the  Czar  as  a  Eussian 
subject,  and  without  any  trial  whatever,  transported  to 
Siberia.  For  nearly  twenty  years  it  was  not  known 
where  he  was,  or  even  whether  he  was  dead  or  alive ; 
and,  but  for  our  author's  notice  of  him,  his  friends 
would  not,  in  all  likelihood,  have  heard  anything  of 
him  to  this  day.  Siberia  is  a  vast  prison,  and  though 
not  walled  up,  there  is  no  return  or  escape  from  its 
confines.  The  rest  of  the  unfortunate  man's  life — his 
sufferings  and  his  mournful  end,  as  related  by  our 
author,  will  now  become  clear  and  intelligible  to  the 
readers. 


72  REVELATIONS 

on  Ms  shoulders,  reacliing  nearly  to  his 
elbows.  His  face  was  excessively  pale,  and 
looked  as  though  it  were  swollen ;  the  lustre 
of  his  eyes  was  dimmed,  and  their  old  fire 
quenched.  As  he  saw  us  enter  his  lips  and  eyes 
trembled  convulsively,  betraying  a  strong  in- 
ward emotion.  We  perceived  that  he  tried  to 
speak,  and  could  not.  He  then  by  a  movement 
of  the  hand  made  us  a  sign  to  approach  his 
seat,  to  enable  him  to  shake  hands  with  us. 
There  were  but  two  of  us  in  his  room — Miss 
Josephine  and  myself. 

It  fortunately  happened  that  at  that  moment 
the  Colonel's  mind  was  perfectly  lucid,  which 
alas  !  was  not  its  ordinary  condition ;  and  we 
could  see  that  only  the  excess  of  emotion 
deprived  his  paralyzed  tongue  of  the  power  of 
speech.  At  length  he  recovered  his  self- 
possession,  and  for  some  time  conversed  with 
us,  though  not  without  difficulty,  yet  with 
perfect  presence  of  mind. 

Hearing  that  our  destination  was  Berezov, 
a  place  known  to  him,  having  himself  resided 
there  fourteen  months,  he  recommended 
us,  when  we  arrived,  to  take  lodgings  at  his 
former  landlady's,  where  he  said  we  should 


OF    SIBERIA.  73 

be  comfortable.  He  tried  to  re-assure  us  with, 
respect  to  Berezov  and  the  discomforts  of  that 
place,  and  perhaps  thinking  we  should  be 
frightened,  lauded  the  single-heartedness  and 
hospitality  of  its  inhabitants. 

This  conversation  he  maintained  with  a 
difficulty  painful  to  witness.  We  were 
obliged  to  gather  what  he  intended  to  convey, 
more  from  his  gesticulations  and  the  move- 
ment of  his  lips,  than  from  the  words  he 
uttered.  For  some  time  we  went  on  toler- 
ably well ;  but  at  last  the  Colonel's  faculties, 
exhausted  by  his  efforts,  began  to  flag.  He 
still  continued  speaking,  but  we  could  not  help 
observing  that  imagination  carried  him  back 
to  the  shores  of  the  Tagus,  and  the  banks  of 
the  Seine,  the  stage  of  his  past  military  ex- 
ploits. He  then  narrated  that  we  could 
obtain  at  Berezov  plenty  of  water-melons, 
grapes,  oranges,  and  a  variety  of  delicious 
fruits,  which  we  knew  were  not  to  be  found 
there,  but  were  the  produce  of  more  genial 
climes. 

This  conversation,  from  its  character  and 
the  direction  it  had  taken,  affected  me  pain- 
fully.     I  was  at  a  loss  how  to  abridge  it, 

VOL.    I.  E 


74  REYELATIONS 

otherwise  than  by  taking  leave  of  our  un- 
fortunate compatriot,  who,  on  perceiving  our 
movement,  grasped  our  hands,  and  continued 
uttering  beseechingly  with  his  palsied  tongue, 
"Pray  stay — still  longer — longer."  But 
apprehending  lest  the  effect  of  our  protracted 
interview  should  prove  injurious  to  the 
Colonel's  health,  we  left  him,  thinking  we 
might  yet  see  him  again  at  some  future 
period. 

On  our  way  home,  in  order  to  disembarrass 
ourselves  of  the  painful  impression  produced 
on  our  mind,  we  proceeded  in  the  direction 
of  the  Irtish.  Arrived  on  its  banks,  we  saw 
an  immense  extent  of  land,  as  far  as  our 
eyes  could  reach,  under  water,  presenting  a 
magnificent  spectacle.  In  gazing  upon  this 
expanse  of  smooth  placid  water,  shining 
mirror-like  before  us,  our  sight  seemed  to 
lose  itself  in  its  immensity.  At  its  farthest 
extremity  we  could  likewise  discern  another 
distant  plain :  it  was  land,  across  which  again 
another  azure-like  stream  was  rimning,  at 
first  so  tiny,  as  to  be  almost  imperceptible, 
but  growing  more  distinct  the  nearer  it  came, 
gradually   widening   into  something  like  a 


OF    SIBERIA.  75 

broad  high-road,  which,  at  last  uniting  with 
the  river,  formed  one  vast  sheet  of  water. 
The  swollen  tributary  was  the  Tobola, 
coming  from  the  far  west,  and  emptying 
itself  into  the  majestic  Irtish. 

On  our  way  home  we  passed  by  what  is 
called  here  a  public  garden,  and  peeped  into 
it.     It  was  a  small  piece  of  ground,  inter- 
sected  with    gravel  walks,  and   containing 
only  birches  and  a  few  yellow  acacias.   Here 
and  there  were  placed  benches  to  sit  upon, 
and  on  one  side  a  summer-house  constructed 
of  wood.     Had  the  season  been  more  favour- 
able, I  should,  perhaps,  have  seen  the  place 
to  greater  advantage ;    but  the  trees  were 
now  bereft  of  foliage,   and  the  branches  so 
scanty  that  they  could  be  counted ;   besides, 
the  ground  was  wet  and   miry,   and  alto- 
gether the  garden  presented  a  doleful  appear- 
ance. 

On  the  following  day,  in  the  afternoon,  being 
at  home,  we  observed  from  our  balcony  a 
dorozJca^  with  one  horse,  stop  at  our  door. 
We  were  astonished  when  we  saw  the  occu- 
pant of  it  descending.  Count  Marchocki, 
who  was  just  then  with  us,  from  curiosity 

E    2 


76  REVELATIONS 

also  approached  the  window,  and  recognised 
Colonel  Krzyzanowski,  who  in  his  state  of 
infirmity  conld  not  get  out  of  the  vehicle,  and 
was  obliged  to  be  carried  by  two  men. 
It  took  some  time  to  collect  more  hands  to 
convey  him  to  our  apartment,  which  was 
the  more  diificult  from  its  being  on  the  second 
floor.  His  debility  was  so  excessive  that 
he  was  carried  like  a  child  up  stairs. 

We  welcomed  him  with  great  concern  and 
emotion ;  and  not  having  any  arm-chair  in 
our  room,  for  the  support  of  his  feeble  and 
paralyzed  body,  we  made  him  sit  on  the  sofa, 
and  propped  him  up  with  cushions. 

Dui'ing  this  visit  the  Colonel  spoke  with 
greater  facility  than  on  the  preceding  day. 
His  conversation  was  more  animated,  and  he 
even  spoke  a  great  deal  more,  as  if  he  were 
determined  to  make  up  for  the  constraint 
under  which  he  had  laboui-ed  on  the  occasion  of 
our  visit  to  him.  To-day  he  would  not  haA^e 
his  will  in  the  least  cramped,  nor  his  tongue 
silenced,  when  thoughts  flashed  like  lightning 
through  his  brain. 

With  inconceivable  fire  and  rapidity,  he 
discoursed  on  a  variety  of  things  and  inci- 


OF    SIBERIA.  77 

dents,  plunging  by  turns  into  the  past  and 
present,  and  nowhere  resting  long,  as  if  fore- 
warned of  his  lucid  moments  being  num- 
bered and  but  scantily  granted  to  him.  He 
seemed  therefore  the  more  eager  to  catch 
at  each  moment,  as  it  flew  rapidly  by. 
Within  half  an  houi',  however,  his  ideas  grew 
confused,  and  at  last  became  quite  unstrung.  He 
still  continued  speaking  with  the  same  volu- 
bility as  before,  but  alas  !  there  was  no  rea- 
son in  his  words. 

I  did  all  I  could  to  bring  him  back  to  his 
former  train  of  associations,  but  in  vain. 
His  thoughts,  having  once  lost  their  pathway, 
could  by  no  means  be  brought  into  it  again. 

His  servant  observing  this  melancholy 
state  of  his  master's  miad,  approached,  and 
signified  that  it  was  time  to  depart,  but  the 
Colonel  pushed  him  back.  He  would  not 
have  his  visit  abridged.  He  remained  several 
hours  longer,  sunk  in  the  same  distressing 
state,  and  without  the  least  shadow  of  am.end- 
ment.  At  last,  at  nightfall,  he  took  leave  of 
us. 

Winter  seemed  now  to  be  departing,  and 
the  weather  every  day  grew  finer.      Nature 


78  REVELATIONS 

awoke  from  her  lethargic  sleep,  breaking 
through  the  icy  fetters  in  which  winter  had 
enthralled  her.  The  sun  shone  with  more 
warmth,  and  the  birds  carolled  gaily  in  the 
trees.  It  was  the  10th  of  May,*  when  news 
at  last  spread  that  the  ice  of  the  Irtish  had 
broken  and  was  floating  down  the  river, 
which  in  a  few  days  would  be  open  for  navi- 
gation. This  was  a  warning  to  us  to  prepare 
for  departure. 

Our  hearts  grieved  as  the  old  and  well- 
known  song  recurred  to  our  memory — the 
song  which  for  one  whole  month  was  ringing 
incessantly  in  our  ears,  and  still  echoed  the 
weary  refrain^  "  Onward — onward." 

To  drive  these  melancholy  anticipations 
from  our  mind,  we  once  more  repaired  to  the 

*  The  lOth  of  May  here,  be  it  remembered,  is 
the  22iid  of  that  month,  according  to  the  Gregorian 
Calendar  now  in  general  use  in  Europe :  the  Eussians 
still  computing  the  days  of  the  month,  and  fixing  all  the 
festivals  of  their  Church  after  the  old  Julian  style.  This 
must  be  allowed  for  throughout  our  author's  narrative, 
as  that  difference — which  is  twelve  days  between  the 
two  calendars — cannot  be  unimportant  in  forming  a 
right  estimate  of  the  Siberian  temperature  at  different 
seasons  of  the  year. 


OF   SIBERIA.  79 

"banks  of  the  Irtish,  to  witness  its  struggle 
with  the  parting  ice,  and  almost  lament  its 
victory.  The  view  had  scarcely  anything 
new  in  itself,  recurring  as  it  does  every  year, 
and  yet  it  is  ever  magnificent. 

We  found  the  ice  already  broken.  It 
moved  on  the  blue  waves  of  the  river  in  huge 
masses,  slowly  and  almost  solemnly,  amidst 
thundering  crashes  from  far  and  near.  We 
saw  the  smaller  craft  of  boats  in  great  number, 
trying  their  adventurous  course  near  the 
shore,  which  was  already  clear  of  all  ice-floes; 
while  the  banks  of  the  river  were  thronged 
with  speculators,  young  and  old,  men,  women, 
and  children,  of  all  ranks  and  stations.  This 
was  the  grandest  feature  of  the  spectacle — 
grand  because  all  were  alive  to  it. 

I  witnessed,  not  without  satisfaction,  the 
temerity,  the  skill,  and  the  courage  with 
which  the  inhabitants  ventured  on  an  element 
so  terrific  and  perilous — curbed,  but  not  yet 
conquered,  and  which  still  echoed  its  thun- 
dering poean  of  war  and  defiance. 

I  cannot  exactly  state  the  reason,  but  the 
spectacle  of  a  man  who  is  resolutely  braving 
danger,  with  nothing  to  rely  upon  but  his 


80  EEVELATIONS 

own  strength,  has  always  had  more  charm 
for  me,  and  excited  more  veneration  for  the 
grandeur  of  his  character,  than  all  his  indus- 
trial conquests.  This,  perhaps,  is  the  foible 
of  our  sex. 

On  our  return  home,  I  saw  a  most  beauti- 
ful animal,  called  a  moral.  I  mean  no 
equivoque,  for  that  was  its  real  name.  It  is, 
I  am  told,  a  native  of  the  Sayan  and  Altai 
mountains.* 

I  never  saw  an  animal  equal  it  in  elegance 
of  shape.  It  is  very  much  like  a  deer,  or, 
more  properly,  like  an  antelope.  It  is  tall 
in  stature,  slender,  and  exceedingly  graceful 
in  its  proportions,  with  thin  feet  and  short 
tail.  It  bears  its  neck  high,  and  the  hair  is 
thin  and  smooth,  and  of  a  brown  colour.  I 
was  informed  that  it  usually  had  high  horns 
branching  out  like  the  antlers  of  a  stag ;  but 
at  this  season  the  animal  was  without  any, 
and  on  the  spot  where  they  grow  there  was 

*  The  moral  is  probably  the  argali,  or  capra  ammon, 
whose  horns,  as  mentioned  by  Mr.  Cottrell,  are  im- 
mensely large,  very  spiral,  and  strong.  The  moral  is 
very  shy,  and  lives  in  the  most  inaccessible  spots,  like 
the  chamois. 


OF    SIBERIA.  81 

only  a  soft  protuberant  excrescence,  covered 
with  delicate  hair-like  moss.  This  horny 
protuberance  grew  so  rapidly,  that,  in  the 
course  of  a  few  weeks,  the  animal's  head 
was  crowned  with  noble  antlers.  The  moral 
I  have  described  was  kept  in  the  stables  of 
Prince  Gortchakoff,  Governor -General  of 
West  Siberia.  It  was  very  tame,  and  walked 
freely  about  the  town. 

These  animals  are  generally  very  easily 
tamed ;  and  many  people  who  take  a  par- 
ticular liking  to  them,  keep  a  number  of 
them  as  domestic  cattle. 


E  3 


82  HEVELATIONS 


CHAPTEE  V. 

Preparations  for  departure — Spring — The  Upper  Town 
— Ceyzik's  house — Prince  Gortchakoff — His  removal 
to  Omsk — Roman  Catholic  missions— A  real  solitude 
— Embarkation — Cabin — Farewells. 

It  was  on  the  12th  of  May  that  we  re- 
ceived an  official  notice  from  the  Governor- 
General  to  prepare  for  depai-ture  to  Berezov. 
About  this  town,  though  a  capital  of  exten- 
sive district,  and  one  next  to  Tobolsk  in 
importance,  so  little  was  known  here,  that 
everybody  with  whom  we  spoke  gave  us  a 
different  account  of  it.  In  this  one  particular, 
however,  all  seemed  to  agree,  that  we  could 
not  expect  to  meet  there  any  of  our  usual 
comforts.     The  first  object,  therefore,  for  our 


OF   SIBERIA.  83 

consideration  was  to  purchase  a  stock  of 
commodities  for  our  future  household,  as 
furniture  and  provisions,  such  as  we  thought 
would  keep  on  our  voyage.  The  whole  ot 
my  time  was  now  taken  up  with  making 
purchases,  packing  and  stowing  the  different 
articles,  in  which  business  I  had  every 
possible  assistance  from  my  countrymen,  to 
whose  kindness  I  was  indeed  much  indebted. 

The  voyage  by  water  would,  I  thought, 
after  all,  be  more  agreeable  than  travelling 
by  land,  and  it  mattered  little  how  bulky  or 
heavy  were  my  purchases.  The  only  draw- 
back was,  that  I  was  obliged  to  limit  my 
wishes  from  the  insufficiency  of  my  means. 

The  privation,  which,  according  to  all 
accounts,  I  had  most  to  apprehend  in  my 
future  household,  and  most  wished  to  avoid, 
was  the  supplies  of  the  dairy ;  for  I  was 
assui-ed  that  there  were  no  more  than  two 
cows  in  the  whole  territory  of  Berezov.  As 
for  fruit,  salads,  and  other  vegetables,  I  was 
pretty  sure  that  from  the  nature  of  the 
climate,  they  were  quite  out  of  the  question, 
and  could  not  at  all  enter  on  my  list;  but  milk, 
cream,  and  butter — ^how  could  I  be  without 


84  REVELATIONS 

them  ?  From  Tobolsk  I  could  only  transport 
melted  butter ;  and  as  for  tea,  which  is  the 
sole  luxury  known  to  the  Siberians,  and 
next  to  water  is  considered  by  them  one  of 
the  principal  necessaries  of  life — the  very 
idea  of  such  a  beverage,  as  drunk  by  them, 
frightened  me.  I  well  knew  that  I  should 
have  to  encounter  it  at  every  step,  as  it  is 
deemed  an  indispensable  item  of  hospitality  ; 
and  I  could  never  drink  tea  without  cream. 

Such  are  the  petty  miseries  of  our  life. 
They  are  too  insignificant  to  be  even  per- 
ceptible amidst  -strong  emotions  ;  but  in  the 
absence  of  such  emotions,  and  under  an  utter 
apathy  of  life,  even  they  are  apt,  contemptible 
though  they  be,  to  assume  in  our  fancy  the 
shape  of  grave  and  intolerable  evils. 

On  the  15th  of  May,  spring  gladdened  us 
with  her  first  cheerftd  vernal  smile.  Warm 
and  genial  was  her  breath,  moving  the  birch 
trees  to  spread  out  their  long  tresses,  and 
deck  themselves  with  foliage,  struggling  as  it 
yet  was  beneath  the  brown  tints  of  winter. 
Grass  began  to  sprout,  and  vernal  flowers 
were  peeping  timidly  forth,  and  upraising 
their  shy,  modest,  variously-coloured  heads  to 


OF    SIBERIA.  85 

the  sun,  which  tenderly  kissed  their  brows 
with  his  beams,  and  by  his  penetrating 
warmth  everywhere  imparted  new  life. 
Gladdened  by  the  changed  face  of  nature,  we 
resolved  to  turn  the  last  days  of  our  sojourn 
at  Tobolsk  to  as  great  an  advantage  as 
possible,  and  to  see  more  of  the  town  and  of 
its  vicinity. 

Our  first  visit  was  to  the  Upper  Town, 
which,  as  I  have  before  remarked,  occupies 
an  elevated  site,  and  in  so  far  is  drier  and 
more  salubrious  than  the  Lower  Town,  while 
the  view  from  it  over  the  latter  is  not  alto- 
gether without  interest.  The  communica- 
tion between  the  two  cannot  be  said  to  be 
easy,  at  least  it  is  not  such  as  might  be 
desired ;  the  new  portion,  which  is  on  the 
hill,  being  separated  from  the  old  one  below, 
by  a  perpendicular  high  cliff  and  a  deep 
ditch.  There  are  only  two  ways,  indeed,  by 
which  the  Upper  Town  is  accessible  ;  one  to 
passengers  on  foot,  by  a  flight  of  many 
hundred  steps  leading  straight  up  the  hill, 
which,  though  the  shortest  way,  is  very  irk- 
some for  ascent ;  and  the  other  for  car- 
riages, by  a  circuitous  and  broad  road  in  a 
ravine,   dug   for   that   purpose  round   the 


86  REVELATIONS 

hill,  and  paved  with  wood.  Evidently, 
everything  that  the  art  of  engineering  could 
suggest  has  been  employed  to  facilitate  the 
communication ;  but,  in  spite  of  all  digging, 
paving,  and  bringing,  in  order  to  diminish 
the  ascent,  the  acclivity  is  too  great  not  to 
be  most  severely  felt.  One  cannot  ascend 
the  steps  without  losing  one's  breath,  and 
without  being  obliged  repeatedly  to  stop  for 
rest. 

On  reaching  the  top  of  the  lull,  an  exten- 
sive plateau  presents  itself.  It  is  adorned 
with  a  monument  raised  recently,  in  the 
reign  of  the  present  Emperor,  to  the  memory 
of  Yermak.  The  cost  of  the  erection  was 
paid  from  subscriptions  collected  for  the 
purpose  among  the  natives  of  Siberia. 

The  appearance  of  the  Upper  Town  is 
neat ;  the  streets  are  broad ;  the  air,  dry, 
bracing,  and  conducive  to  health.  The 
Government  House,  the  residence  of  the 
Archbishop  (Archirey),  the  Greek  Church, 
the  barracks,  and  the  military  hospitals,  con- 
stitute the  principal  buildings.  The  rest  of 
the  houses  are  nearly  all  constructed  of 
wood. 


OF    SIBERIA.  87 

Among  these,  a  small  but  neat  cottage 
had,  during  my  visit,  particularly  struck  me 
by  its  European  aspect.  It  was  surrounded 
by  a  plantation  of  birch  trees,  which  had  a 
picturesque  effect.  I  inquired  whose  house 
it  was,  and  received  for  answer,  that  the 
proprietor's  name  was  Ceyzik,  who  formerly 
resided  in  Poland,  and  was  celebrated  for 
his  most  exquisite  paintings  on  china  and 
pottery.  He  had  been,  as  we  were  told,  for 
upwards  of  twenty  years  in  Siberia,  and 
though  aged,  he  still  looked  hale  and  strong. 
On  hearing  this,  we  could  not  help  wishing  to 
see  him. 

The  snug,  comfortable  cottage  he  possessed 
was  his  own  property,  as  well  as  a  small  garden 
attached  to  it.  This  was  very  well  kept, 
and  was  full  of  various  shrubs,  with  beds  for 
vegetables  and  flowers,  traversed  by  carefully- 
raked  paths,  and  even  containing  some  con- 
servatories, reminding  us  more  of  our  own 
country,  than  of  the  wilderness  of  Siberia.  The 
taste  for  embellishing  human  habitations,  by 
subjecting  nature  to  the  rules  of  art,  has  not 
yet  penetrated  to  this  region.  And  why  so? 
For  no  other  reason  that  I  can  imagine,  than 


88  REVELATIONS 

because  all  attempts  at  refinement  would 
appear  dwarfish  and  out  of  place  in  the  pre- 
sence of  the  grandeur  and  variety  of  nature, 
spread  out  before  the  threshold  of  the  hum- 
blest dwelling  ;  and  I  might  also  say  because 
the  necessity  for  any  such  artificial  improve- 
ments has  not  yet  made  itself  apparent  among 
these  wild  people. 

Ceyzik's  pottery  is  much  prized,  and  there 
was  a  great  demand  for  it  throughout  Siberia. 
During  the  visit  of  the  heir  apparent  of  the 
Eussian  crown,  the  citizens  of  Tobolsk  order- 
ed at  Ceyzik's  manufactory  a  china  tray, 
which  was  presented  to  their  illustrious 
guest  as  a  fine  specimen  of  Siberian  manu- 
factures, and  was  graciously  received  by  him. 
In  general,  Ceyzik  has  an  excellent  market 
for  his  wares,  and  orders  are  often  sent  to 
him  from  distant  parts  of  Siberia  for  vases, 
basins,  tureens,  bowls,  and  suchlike,  both 
ornamental  and  useful  crockery.  All  these 
articles  are  recommended  for  the  elegance  of 
their  workmanship  and  their  beauty  of  design, 
and  are  indeed  entitled  to  admiration. 

During  the  week,  a  great  bustle  prevailed 
at  Tobolsk.     The  mercantile  portion  of  the 


OF   SIBERIA.  89 

citizens  were  busied  in  freighting  boats  and 
vessels  destined  for  the  Oby  Sea,  whence, 
after  discharging  their  cargoes,  they  bring 
back  loads  of  fish  and  fur.  Many  of  the  in- 
habitants, too,  were  more  or  less  engaged  in 
preparing  for  the  departure  of  the  Governor- 
General,  Prince  Gortchakoff,  who  was  on  the 
point  of  leaving  Tobolsk  for  Omsk.*  For 
some  reason  or  other,  difficult  to  explain,  he 
was  ordered  to  transfer  his  residence,  with 

*  The  object  of  this  removal  of  the  capital  of  "Western 
Siberia  southward  to  Omsk,  in  the  Kirghies  Steppes,  is 
to  establish  a  road  in  a  dii'ect  line  to  Thibet,  and  when 
Russia  shall  have  acquired  a  sufficiently  firm  footing  in 
it,  to  obtain,  across  that  country,  a  transit  for  her  mer- 
chandise to  India,  if  not  also  for  the  march  of  her 
Kirghies,  Tartar,  and  other  Siberian  hordes,  for  the 
accomplishment  of  her  long -cherished  designs  on  the 
British  possessions  in  Asia.  The  distance  from  Omsk  to 
the  frontier  of  Thibet,  is  but  twelve  hundred  versts ; 
and,  on  the  way  through  the  Steppes,  most  of  the 
natives  are  on  friendly  terms  with  the  Eussians.  At 
Omsk,  a  school  is  established  in  which  a  number  of 
young  men  are  instructed  in  the  Mongolish  Arabic,  and 
Persian  languages,  and  destined  to  perform  the  duties 
of  diplomatic  agents  in  Asiatic  countries.  The  Univer- 
sity at  Kazan  is  another  institution  to  qualify  men  far 
such  missions,  in  furtherance  of  the  Muscovite  policy. 


90  REVELATIONS 

the  whole  of  his  staff,  to  the  latter  town, 
which  is  the  capital  of  the  district  of  that 
name,  belonging  in  part  to  the  Government 
of  Tobolsk,  and  in  part  to  that  of  Tomsk. 
The  town  of  Omsk,  like  Tobolsk,  lies  on  the 
Irtish,  in  a  large  Steppe,  on  the  very  boundary 
of  the  great  Kirghies  Steppes. 

The  inhabitants  of  Tobolsk  were  grieved 
at  parting  with  their  beloved  Governor,  whose 
humane  conduct  had  gained  him  all  hearts. 
They  perfectly  knew  how  much  they  were 
losing  by  his  departure.     The  different  func- 
tionaries connected  with  his  staff  and  their 
families,  in  particular,  were  sorry  to  relinquish 
their  houses,    where    they  had    long   been 
established,  as  well  as  the  society  and  com- 
forts to  which  they  were  accustomed.     Turn 
which  way  you  might,  this  was  perceptible. 
Here  a  spacious  house,  which  a  few  days 
before,  we  saw  furnished  and  filled  with  com- 
pany, stood  desolate  and  dismantled,  with  but 
naked  walls,  doors  and  windows  open,  all  the 
furniture  in  disorder,  and  the  servants  wait- 
ing the  arrivals  of  carts  which  were  to  carry 
them  to  the  river  side.  In  some  places  friends 
were  bidding  each  other  adieu ;  in   others, 


OF    SIBERIA.  91 

they  held  a  last  mournful  meeting  at    the 
social  board. 

At  the  river  side  all  was  in  activity,  and 
an  immense  crowd  had  assembled.  It 
seemed  as  if  the  whole  population  of  Tobolsk 
was  at  that  moment  congregated  together. 
Some  of  the  vessels  were  loaded  with  furni- 
ture, and  were  destined  for  Omsk ;  others, 
which  were  to  sail  in  an  opposite  direction, 
received  on  board  cargoes  of  flour  and  sundry 
victuals  and  merchandize  for  the  northern 
districts  of  the  Government  of  Tobolsk. 

Tobolsk  has  one  Protestant  church,  but 
has  not  any  Eoman  Catholic  place  of  worship. 
Subscriptions  were,  indeed,  some  years  ago, 
collected  for  the  erection  of  a  Eoman  Catholic 
church,  but,  in  spite  of  the  zealous  efforts  and 
contributions  made  by  the  wealthier  portion 
of  the  Catholic  inhabitants,  they  were  foimd 
to  be  quite  inadequate  for  carrying  out  that 
purpose.  In  the  meanwhile,  the  Dominicans, 
who  are  established  at  Tomsk,  occasionally 
visit  Tobolsk  to  perform  divine  service  for 
the  Eoman  Catholic  residents. 

At  Tomsk,  a  distance  of  one  thousand  four 
hundred  and  thii'ty  versts    from  Tobolsk, 


92  REVELATIONS 

there  is  a  Eoman  Catholic  chm^ch,  and  this  is 
the  only  one  in  the  whole  of  Western  Siberia. 
The  priests  are  sent  thither  commonly  from 
the  Polish  provinces ;  and  their  duty  is  to 
make  annually  a  round  of  visits  to  all  the 
principal  places  situated  within  that  immense 
diocese,  extending  from  the  Ural  Mountains 
to  the  river  Yenisei  in  the  east,  and  from  the 
Steppes  of  the  Kirghies  to  the  Frozen  Sea  in 
the  north.  A  whole  year  is  hardly  sufficient 
for  traversing  such  an  immense  extent  of 
territory.  Indeed,  no  one  who  has  not  spent 
some  time  in  Siberia,  or  has  not  in  some 
degree  identified  himself  with  the  manner  of 
life  of  the  inhabitants  of  that  country,  can 
possibly  have  any  conception  of  its  vast 
extent.  Europe  would  appear  narrow  to  the 
natives  of  the  Siberian  wilderness.  In  the 
principal  towns  where  the  Catholics  may  be 
numerous,  the  priest  is  allowed  to  stay  a  few 
days  longer ;  and  then  the  Catholics  of  all 
the  surrounding  places,  being  informed  by 
circular  of  his  arrival,  hasten  for  the  perfor- 
mance of  the  rites  of  their  religion,  such  as 
baptisms  of  children,  matrimonial  vows  and 
confessions.     After  fulfilling  his  duty  at  one 


OP    SIEEEIA.  93 

point,  the  priest,  without  a  moment's  delay, 
resumes  his  journey,  visiting  in  that  manner 
all  the  other  places,  distant  at  hundreds 
and  often  a  thousand  versts  from  each 
other. 

The  town  of  Tobolsk  is  the  point  at  which 
the  visitation  of  the  clergy  of  Tomsk  termi- 
nates. The  priest  invariably  arrives  there  at 
the  close  of  the  winter,  and  does  not,  after 
his  long  pilgrimage,  proceed  any  farther 
northwards,  but  shortly  before  Easter  usually 
returns  to  Tomsk,  where  he  waits  till  the 
snow  has  melted,  and  the  season  of  navigation 
recommenced,  and  then  again  starts  on  his 
circuit. 

The  16  th  of  May  had  been  fixed  for  our 
departure  for  Berezov,  but  the  merchant 
Brahin's  vessel,  which  was  to  convey  us 
thither,  chanced  not  to  be  yet  ready,  or  more 
properly  speaking,  what,  indeed,  was  the 
real  truth  of  the  matter — it  was  not  suffi- 
ciently laden,  a  circumstance  for  which  we 
were  by  no  means  sorry.  The  longer  we 
remained  at  Tobolsk,  the  better  it  was  for 
us ;  every  moment  of  our  prolonged  stay  ap- 
peared to  us  a  gain  from  those  days  of  soli- 


94  REVELATIONS 

tude  and  pining    to   which    we  should  be 
doomed  in  future. 

I  had  never  hitherto  considered  solitude  a 
grievance ;  on  the  contrary,  I  felt  at  all  times 
reconciled  to  it — nay,  found  a  degree  of 
pleasure  in  it.  Though  I  am  fond  of  society, 
I  somehow  could  easily  replace  the  want  of 
it,  and  never  felt  tired  when  alone.  But 
the  solitude  which  awaited  me  at  Berezov 
was  something  appalling,  hanging  like  a  mass 
of  deep  darkness  over  my  imagination, 
through  which  I  could  see  only  horror  and 
despair.  Had  it  been  guarded  by  the  thick- 
ness of  a  wall,  or  by  locks  and  bars,  it  would 
have  caused  us  little  concern ;  but  it  was, 
in  our  conception,  a  total  interruption  of  all 
relations  with  the  past,  and  a  seclusion  from 
all  mankind. 

At  last  the  moment  of  departure  arrived. 
On  the  17th  of  May  we  were  informed  by 
the  authorities  that  the  vessel  was  to  sail 
within  three  hours,  and  that  we  must  imme- 
diately embark.  Our  things  had  already 
been  carried  on  board — thanks  to  the  solici- 
tude of  our  friends,  who  anticipated  our 
wishes  and  diminished  our  troubles.    Woman 


OF    SIBERIA.  95 

at  all  stages  of  her  life,  and  in  all  circum- 
stances, requires  protection,  and  feels  grate- 
ful for  it ;  and  situated  as  we  were,  we  felt 
the  more  a  sincere  thankfulness  for  the  kind 
attention  we  experienced.  Taking  leave  of 
all  with  whom  we  were  acquainted,  and  ac- 
companied by  a  small  escort  of  friends,  we 
wended  our  way  sorrowfully  to  the  river. 
The  vessel  was  moored  some  distance  from 
the  shore,  in  the  deepest  part  of  the  stream, 
and  we  were  obliged  to  take  a  boat.  Several 
of  our  company  there  bade  us  farewell ;  but 
others,  as  Charles  Marchocki,  Constantine 
Wolicki,  and  two  brothers,  the  Kiersnowskis, 
still  remained  with  us,  and  accompanied  us 
to  the  vessel. 

The  little  bark  was  bound  to  the  Oby  Sea, 
whence  it  was  to  fetch  back  a  cargo  of  fish. 
It  was  one  of  the  largest  among  those  which 
annually  go  to  the  Frozen  Sea  for  that  purpose, 
and  was  of  ten  thousand  to  eleven  thousand 
puds.*  We  were  shown  to  a  cabin,  the  only 
one  in  the  vessel ;  it  was  narrow  and  dark, 
and  was  packed  up  with  a  quantity  of  fur 

*  The  Eussian  pud  is  thirty-six  pounds  English, 


96  REVELATIONS 

and  wodJca  (whisky),  which  rendered  it  any- 
thing but  odorous.  However,  we  had  many 
reasons  for  valuing  it,  as  it  afforded  us  a  con- 
venient retreat,  and  we  could  claim  it  as 
a  corner  of  our  own.  It  at  least  separated  us 
from  a  motley  crowd  of  passengers,  of  whom 
we  knew  nothing,  and  whom  we  could  not 
possibly  make  confidants  of  our  thoughts, 
feelings,  or  actions. 

Before  the  signal  for  departure  was  given, 
our  kind  compatriots  were  busily  engaged  in 
stowing,  witliin  the  narrow  confines  of  our  tem- 
porary abode,  all  our  luggage,  and  arrang- 
ing, as  comfortable  as  could  be,  our  small 
household.  Meanwhile,  we  enjoyed  the 
sorrowful  sweetness  of  confidential  discourse, 
perhaps  never  to  be  renewed,  and  a  last  ex- 
change of  thoughts  and  sympathies,  which 
was  to  suffice  us  for  years  of  long  seclusion. 

Several  hours  still  elapsed  ere  all  the 
sailors  could  be  assembled.  They  were  dis- 
persed on  shore,  some  bidding  farewell  to 
their  families,  others  transacting  business, 
and  some  getting  tipsy  in  the  company  of 
their  friends.  But  we  were  not  impatient 
to  sail ;  we  ourselves  were  beguiling  the  few 


OF   SIBERIA.  97 

moments  that  remained  to  us  in  a  friendly 
circle. 

At  last,  to  our  great  distress,  the  signal 
gun  was  fired  thrice.  This  admitted  of  no 
further  delay.  The  anchor  was  weighed. 
The  ship  moved  northward,  and  the  boat 
carried  our  friends  back  to  the  shore.  As  long 
as  we  could  see  each  other,  our  white  hand- 
kerchiefs waved  in  the  air,  wafting  our  last 
adieus.  God  alone  could  tell  whether  those 
sweet  accents  of  my  native  language  were 
not  the  last  that  I  should  ever  hear. 


VOL.   I. 


98  EEYELATIONS 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Journey  to  Berezov — Mournful  train  of  thoughts — 
Kutchum  Khan  and  Termak— Steward — Passengers 
— Samovar — Boating — Perilous  adventure — Gale  of 
wind — Demiansk — Increase  of  cold — Expanse  of 
the  desert — Grandeur  of  primitive  nature. 

It  was  ten  o'clock  at  night.  The  green 
and  fresh  foliage  of  birches,  just  then  break- 
ing from  their  buds,  was  blended  with  the 
darkness  of  the  grey  twilight.  The  splash- 
ing of  the  oars,  and,  at  times,  the  voices  of 
the  mariners,  interrupted  the  deep  silence  of 
the  night.  The  hills  along  the  banks  of  the 
Irtish  were  disappearing,  one  after  another, 
from  our  sight.  Absorbed  in  my  thoughts, 
I   experienced  an  agony   of  spirit,  and  felt 


or    SLBERIA.  99 

very  ill.  At  each  movement  of  the  oar,  I 
was  carried  farther  and  farther  from  my  home 
and  my  family,  into  a  region  desolate  and 
wild.  We  stood,  Josephine  and  myself,  silent 
on  the  deck  ;  our  eyes  involuntarily  turning 
back,  as  though  we  were  still  chasing  after 
the  past.  Each  was  following  her  own 
train  of  thoughts. 

All  around  us  was  night,  silence,  and  wil- 
derness. Darkness  was  gradually  growing 
deeper,  and  more  impenetrable.  Still,  we 
experienced  no  wish  to  retire,  or  to  separate 
ourselves  from  the  thoughts  which  engrossed 
us.  At  length,  the  trees  and  other  objects 
lost  their  visible  shapes  ;  and  all  around  was 
obscurity.  In  our  passage  onward,  how- 
ever, we  occasionally  perceived  twinkling 
lights  along  the  shore,  and,  in  some  places, 
minarets  dimly  looming  in  the  dark.  These 
were  Tartar  villages,  and  faintly  as  they  ap- 
peared, they  happily  brought  me  some  relief, 
exciting  a  different  train  of  associations,  and 
leading  my  memory  to  the  times  of  Kutchum 
Khan  and  Yermak.* 

*  Kutchiiin  Khan  and  Yermak  are  historical  charac- 
ters of  this  region — one  being  the  defender,  the  other  the 

r  2 


100  REVELATIONS 

Eoth  these  men  were  valiant  in  the  field, 
both  conquerors.  They  both  fought  courage- 
ously, but  not  with  equal  success.  The 
former  being  vanquished  and  banished  from 
his  dominions,  became,  in  his  advanced  age, 
an  exile  ;  bereft  of  his  country,  his  family, 
his  riches,  and  his  sight,  he  died  an  un- 
known death,  leaving  nothing  for  posterity 
but  a  bright  record  of  the  greatness  of 
his  soul  in  adversity.  The  latter,  after 
a  career  of  wild  adventures  and  bold 
exploits,  being  taken  by  surprise,  by  those 
whom  he  had  vanquished,  perished  on  the 

invader  of  Siberia.  Kutchum  Khan  was  a  lineal 
descendant  of  the  great  Ghenghis  Khan,  and  in  the  six- 
teenth century,  the  most  powerful  chief  of  all  the  inde- 
pendent tribes  in  Western  Siberia.  A  fort  in  the  vici- 
nity of  Tobolsk,  of  which  some  ruins  still  remain,  was 
his  usual  place  of  residence.  In  the  year  1578,  that 
portion  of  Siberia  was  invaded  by  a  Cossack  of  the  Don, 
Timofief  Yermak,  a  freebooter,  who,  on  that  account, 
incurred  the  ire  of  the  Grand-Duke  of  Muscovy.  Com- 
pelled with  his  followers  to  seek  refuge  in  Siberia,  he 
defeated  the  Khan,  and  extended  his  conquests ;  but, 
being  in  turn  defeated,  he  sued  pardon  of  his  former 
enemy  the  Czar,  and  to  obtain  protection  subjected  to  him 
nominally,  Siberia,  a  country  which  at  that  period  was 
80  little  known,  that  he  was  considered  its  discoverer. 


OF    SIBERIA.  101 

banks  of  the  Irtish,  without  the  least  sign 
of  a  tomb  to  mark  the  spot  where  he  fell. 
The  mortal  remains  of  both  these  worthies 
of  yore  have,  perhaps,  found  a  common 
grave  in  the  waters  of  this  great  river  ;  yet, 
how  different  are  the  results  produced  by  the 
achievements  of  one  and  the  other.  The 
dominions  of  Kutchum  Khan  were  doomed 
to  bend  under  the  yoke  imposed  on  them  hj 
the  victor ;  his  princely  family  was  carried 
off  captive  to  a  foreign  land  ;  while  Yermak 
proceeded  from  victory  to  victory,  from  con- 
quest to  conquest,  and  subjected  so  many 
nations  differing  in  their  language,  manners, 
and  religions,  to  one  and  the  same  sceptre 
and  the  same  laws. 

Thus  far  in  the  night  I  protracted  my  me- 
ditation, until,  benumbed  with  cold  and  tired 
of  the  melancholy  darkness  around,  we  de- 
scended to  the  cabin. 

But  the  extraordinary  novelty  of  my 
situation,  the  reminiscences  of  the  past,  and 
the  dim  vista  of  the  future,  blending 
together,  scared  sleep  from  my  eyelids.  I 
saw  the  day  dawn  without  once  closiag  my 
eyes. 


102  REVELATIONS 

'No  sooner  did  the  rays  of  the  morning 
begin  faintly  to  illumine  our  cabin  through 
its  narrow  window,  than  I  arranged  my 
toilette  and  hurried  to  the  deck,  anxious  to 
see  the  coimtry  and  to  learn  where  we  were. 
The  night  had  seemed  long,  having  been 
sleepless,  and  the  current  of  the  swollen 
river  appearing  not  to  have  suffered  any 
interruption  in  carrying  us  onwards,  I 
imagined  that  we  were  at  an  immense  dis- 
tance fi'om  Tobolsk ;  but,  to  my  astonish- 
ment, I  was  informed  that  we  were  scarcely 
twenty  versts  from  the  place  of  our  embarka- 
tion. The  surrounding  country,  as  far  as 
could  be  seen,  was  on  all  sides  monotonous, 
uninhabited,  and  a  complete  wilderness. 
Not  seeing  any  inducement  to  remain  any 
longer,  I  retired  to  the  cabin. 

The  lower  part  of  this  little  retreat  was 
below  the  level  of  the  water,  but  this  did  not 
apply  to  the  upper  part,  and  a  small  oblong 
pane  of  glass  fixed  in  the  side,  just  beneath 
the  low  ceiling,  admitted  as  little  light  as 
could  be.  However,  as  my  berth  happened 
to  be  uppermost,  just  at  that  small  opening 
I  could  sit  and  read  at  the   dim  light  it 


OF    SIBERIA.  103 

admitted.  Thus  the  berth  did  a  double 
service  for  me ;  it  served  me  for  a  sofa 
during  the  day,  and  for  a  couch  at  night. 

In  the  course  of  two  or  three  hours  we 
arrived  off  Bronikov,  the  very  village  where, 
a  few  weeks  previously,  the  snow  had  pre- 
vented us  from  travelling  by  land.  As  we 
proceeded  farther,  the  whole  extent  of  land 
appeared  a  desert ;  only  at  long  intervals  some 
solitary  small  settlements  were  observable, 
with  patches  of  tilled  groimd  ;  but  even  such 
vestiges  of  cultivation  were  few  and  far 
between. 

But  I  should  now  say  something  of  the 
other  persons  on  board  our  vessel.  Apart 
from  the  steward  (Prikazbschik),  who  had 
the  command  of  the  sailors  composing 
its  crew,  our  company  consisted  of  two  mer- 
chants returning  from  Tobolsk  to  Berezov  ; 
and  Mrs.  Jaszczenko  and  her  daughter,  both 
going  on  a  visit  to  her  son,  who  was  school- 
master at  the  latter  town.  These  passengers 
were  left  on  board  the  vessel  to  manage  for 
themselves  as  well  as  they  could.  They 
accordingly  chose  their  places  amidst  the 
bags  of  flour  destined  partly  for  Berezov,  and 
partly  for  Obdorsk. 


104  REVELATIONS 

The  whole  of  the  company,  as  may  easily 
be  imagined,  was  huddled  up  pell-mell 
amongst  these  sacks  :  the  passengers  used 
them  as  they  liked ;  and  were,  by  turns, 
sitting,  sleeping,  and  eating  on  them.  In 
the  middle,  some  space  was  left  vacant,  which 
served  as  a  common  room.  From  it  one 
flight  of  steps  led  to  the  deck,  and  another  to 
the  door  opening  on  the  water,  which,  being 
the  only  passage  through  which  light  could 
be  admitted  into  the  interior,  was  on  that 
account  kept  constantly  ajar. 

The  19  th  of  May  will  for  ever  remain  en- 
graven on  the  tablet  of  my  memory,  as  on 
that  day  my  life  was  within  a  hair's  breadth 
of  being  cut  off.  At  day-break,  when  the 
rays  of  the  sun  began  to  pierce  our  cabin 
through  the  small  aperture  called  a  window, 
I  got  up  from  my  bed,  intending  to  enjoy 
the  fresh  air  of  the  morning.  Josephine  and 
the  other  passengers  were  still  asleep,  and 
only  a  few  sailors  were  on  the  deck,  watching 
the  progress  of  the  vessel.  The  two  mer- 
chants of  Berezov  were  below,  making  pre- 
parations for  their  breakfast,  and  busily 
employed  at  their  samovar. 


OF    SIBEEIA.  105 

Through  the  open  door,  I  could  see  the 
morning  was  most  beautiful.  The  sun  was 
rising  in  all  his  brilliance,  bathing  his  orb 
in  the  mirror-like  waters  of  the  Irtish ;  and 
with  his  first  rays  magnificently  gilding  all 
the  summit  of  the  forests,  which  extended 
along  the  banks ;  while  the  interior  of  our 
vessel  was  filled  with  a  strong  stench  from 
skins,  whisky,  tar,  and  fish,  and  was  so  into- 
lerable and  nauseous,  that  I  felt  quite  over- 
come by  the  diff'erent  effluvia.  To  escape 
them  I  went  on  deck ;  but  even  there  the 
smell  of  tobacco,  with  the  suffocating  miasma 
arising  from  below,  totally  destroyed  the  re- 
ft'eshing  quality  of  the  air.  At  this  moment, 
a  boat,  such  as  is  commonly  attached  by  a 
rope  to  larger  vessels,  caught  my  eye,  and, 
tempted  to  enjoy  the  morning  air  in  all  its 
freshness,  after  a  short  moment  of  hesitation, 
I  jumped  into  it,  and  was  delighted  at  being 
enabled  to  breathe  freely. 

I  remained  there  sitting  quietly  for  some 
time,  not  the  slightest  idea  of  danger  occur- 
ring to  my  mind,  until  I  perceived  that  the 
boat  was  at  some  distance  from  the  vessel, 
and  was  gradually  drifting  away.     As  it  was 

F  3 


106  REVELATIONS 

tied  with  a  rope,  it  could  not  be  loosened  at 
once,  and  in  so  far  I  thought  I  was  safe. 
Still,  seeing  it  in  a  moment  drift  rapidly  to  a 
considerable  distance,  a  nervous  terror  came 
over  me.  It  appeared  as  if  really  I  was 
completely  losing  hold  of  the  vessel,  and  was 
abandoned  to  the  capricious  waves. 

At  one  moment,  however,  the  boat  ap- 
proached so  near,  that  I  thought  I  had  a 
chance  of  escape.  Seizing  a  rope,  I  attempted 
by  a  leap  to  gain  a  projecting  part  of  the  side 
of  the  vessel ;  but  in  leaping,  I  unluckily 
failed  to  reach  it,  so  as  to  be  able  to  preserve 
the  balance,  and  by  the  violent  movement  I 
made,  the  boat  being  pushed  away  from  be- 
neath me  to  a  distance  of  several  steps,  I  was 
left  with  the  whole  weight  of  my  body  hang- 
ing over  the  water,  having  for  my  safeguard 
nothing  but  the  rope,  which  I  held  fast  with 
all  my  strength. 

Yessels  on  the  Irtish  have  a  quantity 
of  ropes  suspended  aU  round ;  they  serve 
both  as  a  convenience  for  people  descending 
and  coming  up  from  the  boats,  and  also,  in 
case  of  anybody  falling  overboard,  of  rescuing 
them  from  drowning.      At   first   I   endea- 


OF    SIBERIA.  107 

voured  to  extricate  myself  from  my  perilous 
situation  by  my  own  efforts,  but  seeing  no 
chance  of  success,  I  began  to  cry  for  help. 
But  nobody  came  to  my  rescue.  My  screams 
could  scarcely  be  heard  on  deck,  amidst  the 
continual  splashing  of  the  oars  ;  while  inside, 
with  the  exception  of  the  merchants  at  their 
tea,  all  were  asleep.  From  holding  the  rope 
so  long,  my  hands  were  benumbed,  my 
strength  began  to  fail  me,  and  I  feared  every 
moment  that  I  should  sink  to  the  bottom  of 
the  river. 

In  this  dreadful  suspense  I  was  held  for 
about  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  without  any  help 
coming.  One  of  the  two  merchants,  Kore- 
panow,  had  indeed  heard,  as  he  afterwards 
stated,  some  screams,  but  he  had  taken  them 
for  the  cries  of  the  rowers,  such  as  were  con- 
stantly heard  on  deck,  and  therefore  paid  no 
heed  to  them,  until  they  struck  him  as  a  pro- 
longed and  monotonous  wailing,  coming  from 
one  particular  spot,  which  induced  him  to 
look  out  of  the  door,  and  he  then  perceived 
my  perilous  situation. 

The  son  of  this  merchant,  a  youth  of  twenty, 
without  a  moment's  hesitation,  leapt  into  the 


108  REVELATIONS 

boat,  which  was  at  some  distance,  and  shoved 
it  close  to  the  vessel.  Taking  me  then  by 
my  arm,  he  advised  me  to  let  go  the  rope, 
and  fear  nothing.  However,  exhausted,  and 
almost  at  the  last  gasp,  I  feared  to  relinquish 
the  rope,  my  last  protection,  seeing  the 
water  yawn  beneath  me,  as  I  had  even  doubts 
lest  the  young  man  in  such  a  difficult  posi- 
tion would  be  able  to  sustain  my  weight 
without  losing  his  balance,  especially  as  he 
had  to  stretch  across.  But  my  situation  was 
critical,  and  there  was  no  alternative.  With 
a  desperate  resolution,  I  gave  up  the  rope, 
and  he  dropped  me  into  the  boat,  which  he 
had  drawn  as  closely  under  the  vessel  as 
circumstances  permitted.  Here  I  stood  up ; 
but  from  the  suspension  I  had  undergone, 
my  feet,  my  hands,  and  the  whole  of  my 
body  quivered  like  one  in  an  ague  fit. 

Josephine  started  from  her  slumber  at  the 
exclamations  on  deck  from  many  voices : 
"  The  PoHsh  lady  is  drowned  !  "  In  her 
fright  she  rushed  out  of  the  cabin  half- 
dressed,  fancying  me  already  dead. 

IS'obody,  however,  was  more  extravagantly 
rejoiced  at  my  recovery,   and  nobody  lifted 


OP   SIBERIA.  109 

up  his  hands  so  high  to  Heaven,  in  fervent 
thanksgiving,  as  the  Cossack  who  escorted 
us,  and  who  was  also  aroused  from  his  sleep 
by  the  general  uproar  and  alarm.  This  sym- 
pathy shown  by  the  honest  Cossack  on  my 
behalf  moved  me  deeply  ;  and  I  failed  not  to 
express  to  him  my  sincere  thanks.  In  ex- 
planation, however,  he  replied  with  as  great 
a  naivete  as  could  be,  but  which  went  far  to 
disenchant  me :  "  Your  safety,  lady,  con- 
concerns  me  very  nearly,  as,  had  not  God 
mercifully  averted  this  misfortune,  the 
consequences  would  have  been  most  fatal 
to  myself." 

The  weather  next  day  was  very  bad  and 
stormy.  It  was  impossible  to  remain  on 
deck,  owing  to  the  excessive  cold.  The 
aspect  of  the  country  was  uninviting  and 
dreary ;  no  population,  no  trace  of  cultiva- 
tion ;  lower  grounds  densely  overgrown  with 
willows,  and  the  uplands  crowned  with  cedar, 
larch,  and  fir.  At  night  the  wind  increased 
to  a  perfect  hurricane.  The  vessel  was  an- 
chored, and  remained  so  during  the  ensuing 
day. 

It  is  a  tiresome  thing  to  be  moored.     The 


110  REVELATIONS 

play  of  the  billows  may  for  some  time  engage 
ojLir  attention;  but  it  soon  loses  all  interest 
by  its  monotonous  uniformity.  We  had  no 
other  means  of  dispelling  our  ennui  than  by 
shutting  ourselves  in  oui'  cabin,  and  passing 
away  the  heavy  hours  in  reading.  For- 
tunately I  had  a  few  books  with  me. 

Towards  evening,  the  storm  seemed  to 
abate;  the  anchor  was  weighed  and  we  went 
on.  But  we  had  hardly  reached  the  middle  of 
the  river,  when,  owing  to  the  great  swell,  the 
vessel  began  to  be  tossed  to  such  a  degree, 
that  we  could  not  stand  on  our  feet.  Some 
of  the  passengers  being  unaccustomed  to  the 
motion,  experienced  sea-sickness.  Mrs.  Jaszc- 
zenko  felt  qualmish,  her  daughter  was  ill, 
Josephine  suffered  from  head-ache ;  and  at 
last  even  I  felt  faint.  Witnessing  the  suffer- 
ings of  others,  and  being  at  a  loss  how  to 
prevent  them,  I  now  began  to  think  of  my- 
self I  went  on  deck,  where  fresh  air  and 
cold  soon  dispelled  my  illness,  and  I  have 
ever  since,  during  the  strongest  gales, 
remained  proof  against  such  qualms. 

Again  we  were  obliged  to  cast  anchor,  and 
wait  till  the  storm  ceased.  It  raged  violently 
for  two  days. 


OF    SIBERIA.  Ill 

Poor  Mrs.  Jaszczenko  could  not  be  regarded 
without  pity.  During  the  storms  on  our 
voyage,  she  lay  whole  days  with  her  face  on 
the  ground,  almost  in  a  state  of  insensibility, 
and  as  often  as  she  raised  up  her  head,  she 
fainted.  On  the  other  hand,  the  men  once 
used  to  voyages  suffered  nothing  ;  they 
quietly  took  their  tea,  yawned,  smoked,  or 
slept. 

On  the  second  day,  towards  evening,  the 
wind  again  abated,  and  though  the  billows 
on  the  river  were  still  running  high,  we 
were  not  in  the  least  sorry  to  resume  our 
voyage. 

The  river  Irtish  is  really  magnificent. 
When  at  its  high  tide  in  spring,  it  is  several 
versts  broad  ;  the  current  is  extremely  rapid, 
and  the  river  is  hemmed  in  on  both  sides  by 
elevated  hilly  banks,  covered  with  primaeval 
forests,  for  the  most  part  cedar.  At  the  foot 
of  the  hills,  in  the  deep  glens,  and  on  the 
islands,  grow  willows  in  thick  impenetrable 
masses.  The  water  of  the  river  is  very 
muddy,  and  on  this  account  cannot  be  used 
either  for  drinking  or  cooking,  without  under- 
going some  process  of  purification.     We  had 


112  REVELATIONS 

happily  provided  ourselves  with  a  filtering 
machine  for  our  own  use  ;  but  for  the  accom- 
modation of  the  rest  of  the  passengers  casks 
were  kept  filled  with  water,  and  the  water 
only  used  after  the  sediment  with  which  it 
was  impregnated  had  settled. 

The  weather  continued  bad.  All  the 
vernal  and  pleasant  smiles  with  which  the 
returning  season  had  cheered  us  up  at 
Tobolsk,  had  altogether  vanished,  and  a 
storm  compelled  us  again  to  cast  anchor. 
Only  with  great  difficulty  could  we  on  the 
fifth  day  of  our  voyage  reach  Demiansk,  one 
of  the  villages  en  route  from  Tobolsk  to 
Berezov,  consisting  of  about  sixty  houses. 
The  distance  of  this  village  from  Tobolsk  is 
stated  at  two  hundred  versts;  but  in  my 
opinion  it  is  rather  a  guess  than  certainty,  as 
there  exists  not  a  trace  of  any  road  by  land, 
nor  are  there  any  verst  stones. 

Between  Tobolsk  and  Demiansk  we  could 
still  distinguish  some  vestiges  of  agriculture, 
but  beyond  that  village  northward  through 
the  whole  extent  of  country,  not  a  speck  of 
tillage  was  seen.  During  our  onward  move- 
ment, although  we  were  at  the  close  of  the 


OF   SIBERIA.  113 

month  of  May,  all  tlie  verdure  with  which 
we  had  observed  the  woods  in  the  vicinity 
of  Tobolsk,  seemed,  the  further  we  proceeded, 
to  be  diminishing,  and  gradually  disappeared. 
"Willows,  which  commonly  grow  densely 
by  each  other,  and  are  covered  with  rich 
foliage,  stood  erect  with  leafless  branches, 
tall,  thin,  and  grey,  presenting  the  aspect  of 
extensive  woods  of  Italian  poplars,  when 
winter  has  stripped  them  of  their  leaves. 
Cedars,  firs,  and  larches,  with  their  perennial 
green  branches,  were  the  only  trees  that 
covered  the  nakedness  of  the  vast  forests. 
On  the  other  hand,  the  farther  we  proceed 
northwards,  the  hours  of  the  night  rapidly 
decreased ;  so  much  so  that  when  we  were  a 
short  distance  from  Demiansk,  we  had  hardly 
any  night,  and  the  dawn  of  day  followed 
closely  on  twilight. 

The  weather  continued  excessively  cold, 
but  the  atmosphere  upon  the  whole  was  calm, 
until  we  arrived  off  Samarov.  That  village 
is  considered  the  principal  station  between 
Tobolsk  and  Berezov,  and  is  an  important 
point  for  commerce,  being  situated  on  the 
confluence  of  two  such  great  rivers  as  the 


114  REVELATIONS 

Irtish  and  the  Oby.  It  is  inhabited  chiefly 
by  Kussians,  carrying  on  trade.  Samarov  is 
considered  by  travellers  as  lying  half-way 
between  the  above-named  towns,  and  stands 
at  the  point  which  unites  the  districts  of 
Tobolsk  and  Berezov. 

We  had  been  full  eight  days  on  our 
voyage.  During  that  interval,  unmind- 
ful of  my  personal  sorrows,  my  attention 
was  engrossed  with  contemplating  the 
splendid  scenery  before  me.  My  eyes  strayed 
in  turn  over  the  vast  expanse  of  waters, 
and  on  the  immense  virgin  forests  extend- 
ing far  behind  and  before  me.  Their 
limits  the  sight  strove  in  vain  to  reach  ;  ima- 
gination alone  can  supply  them,  either  by 
stopping,  in  its  soaring  flight,  on  the  one 
side,  at  the  North  Pole,  the  region  of  eternal 
ice,  and  the  di'eary  solitudes  of  sea  monsters  ; 
or  on  the  other,  at  the  rocky  wall  of  the 
Uralian  chain,  celebrated  far  and  wide  in 
popular  stories  and  traditions  for  supernatural 
agencies  and  wonders,  mere  creations  of 
fancy,  but  which  obtain  implicit  credence 
from  the  natives,  and  are  perpetuated  by 
them  from  generation  to  generation,  as  matters 


OF    SIBERIA. 


115 


of  religion  and  sacred  truth.  In  pursuing 
the  train  of  my  associations  farther,  I  em- 
braced in  them  the  whole  extent  of  the  land 
from  the  Oby  to  the  Uralian  Islands  east- 
wards. I  roamed  through  wastes  of  snow, 
ice,  wildernesses,  immense  rivers,  and  forests 
with  their  lairs  of  wild  and  ferocious  beasts. 
It  seemed  as  though  I  were  meeting  knots  of 
strangers  dispersed  here  and  there  on  that 
vast  wilderness.  Unused  to  the  locality, 
they  were  straying  amidst  its  solitudes  in  a 
forlorn  condition,  not  unlike  solitary  groups 
of  mourning  orphans,  and  reduced  to  the  sad 
necessity  of  fraternization  with  the  animal 
tribe,  of  assimilating  their  habits  to  theirs, 
and  even  of  adopting  their  manner  of  living, 
in  order  to  protract  their  miserable  exist- 
ence. 

Nature,  in  all  her  original  grandeur  and 
simplicity,  such  as  she  presents  herself  to  our 
view,  under  her  primitive  features,  with 
marks  typical  of  those  impressed  by  the  hand 
of  the  Creator,  and  as  yet  untouched  and 
undefiled  by  man — such  Nature  has  some- 
thing wonderfully  solemn  in  her  aspect.  The 
soul  is  absorbed  in  a  religious  trance,  and 


116  REVELATIONS 

gliding,  as  it  were,  on  the  intermediate  chain 
by  which  the  Creator  is  linked  with  creation, 
feels  itself  exalted  by  contemplating  the 
wonderful  works  of  the  creation  of  God. 
The  heart  is  then  enabled  to  lift  itself  in 
adoration  of  the  Almighty,  while  at  the  same 
time  it  feels  humbled  in  the  presence  of  such 
wonders,  and  of  that  power  which  had  called 
them  into  existence. 

Yet  this  impression,  for  the  moment  ele- 
vating, at  length  gave  way  to  melancholy 
reflections.  "What  is  man?"  I  asked 
myself  in  bewilderment,  environed  as  I  was 
by  the  stupendous  works  of  the  Almighty. 
"  What  is  his  pitiable  destiny  in  the  unbroken 
chain  of  the  creation  ?  "  He  is  but  an  atom 
amidst  the  component  parts  of  the  universe, 
•  not  unlike  a  single  leaf  of  those  thick  and 
dark  forests  extending  before  my  eyes,  torn 
down  by  a  whirlwind,  and  driven  to  and  fro 
on  the  face  of  the  earth. 


or   SIBERIA.  117 


CHAPTEE  VII. 

Confluence  of  the  Irtish  and  the  Oby — Lowland  and 
upland  plain — The  Tartar  and  the  Ostiak  boundary — 
Storm — Wild  Scenery — Stones  of  various  colours  in 
rivers — Kondisk  Monastery — Soswa — Distant  view 
of  Berezov — Disembarkation — Aspect  of  the  town. 

Having  passed  Samarov,  we  entered  on  the 
Oby,  a  magnificent  sheet  of  waters  in  which 
the  Irtish  is  engulfed.  It  does  not,  however, 
disappear  immediately,  but  the  two  rivers,  like 
a  wedded  couple,  after  they  have  united  their 
existence  and  their  estate,  and  assumed  a  com- 
mon name,  preserve  their  individuality  for 
some  distance,  flowing  together  in  one  cur- 
rent, and  being  easily  distinguished  by  their: 


118  REVELATIONS 

difference  of  colour.  The  waters  of  the 
Irtish,  which  are  tui-bid  and  muddy,  and  on 
that  account  bear  a  brownish  tinge,  contrast 
strikingly  with  the  clear,  dark,  and  trans- 
parent waves  of  the  majestic  Oby. 

The  latter  river,  thus  swelled  by  the  Irtish 
and  other  tributary  rivers,  and  by  innumer- 
able streams  of  Asiatic  Russia  and  the  eastern 
acclivity  of  the  Uralian  range,  may  be  seen 
flowing  below  Samarov  northwards  in  all  its 
grandeur,  traversing  an  extensive  plain,  and 
then  branching  into  numberless  channels, 
each  constituting  a  great  river.  N"o  mean 
knowledge  is  required  for  its  navigation,  to 
avoid  being  lost  in  its  mazes,  though  all  the 
currents  point  one  way  and  tend  to  a  com- 
mon outlet. 

The  tract  through  which  the  Oby  meanders 
with  outstretched  branches,  at  times  extend- 
ing or  naiTowing  its  bed,  is  about  fifty 
versts  in  breadth,  and  is  broken  by  the  river 
into  innumerable  little  islands,  overgrown 
with  weeping  willows.  This  extensive  plain 
laved  thus  by  the  river,  is  again  enclosed  on 
both  sides  by  high  hilly  banks,  covered  with 
forests  of  cedar,  larch,  and  fir.     From  these 


OF    SIBERIA.  119 

elevated  banks  begin  the  highlands,  over- 
looking, at  a  great  altitude,  the  winding 
course  of  the  river. 

The  cold  was  insupportable,  and  the  wind, 
which  blew  from  the  north,  brought 
occasional  drifts  of  snow.  At  the  same  time 
trees  without  any  foliage,  and  the  earth 
without  the  least  verdure,  gave  no  indication 
that  we  were  at  the  close  of  May,  or  that  we 
had  twelve  days  before  seen  the  spring,  and 
enjoyed  its  genial,  balmy  air.  Indeed, 
another  storm  now  burst  forth,  deepening 
the  dismal  aspect  of  the  pictiu"e,  and  the 
wind  became  so  boisterous  that  we  were 
again  obliged  to  lie  at  anchor. 

Not  wishing  to  pass  his  time  uselessly,  the 
Captain,  accompanied  by  several  men,  em- 
barked in  two  boats  for  the  adjacent  shore, 
where  they  cut  down  a  beautiful  cedar,  and 
brought  it  off  as  a  mast.  They  were  not 
long  in  effecting  their  object.  The  cedar 
being  felled  on  the  nearest  point  of  the  shore, 
was  dragged  without  any  difficulty  to  the 
river,  and  then  the  current  carried  it  without 
additional  trouble  alongside  the  vessel. 

The  daughter  of  Mrs.  Jaszczenko,  a  girl  of 


120  REVELATIONS 

fourteen,  went  on  shore  at  the  same  time  for 
a  pleasure  trip,  and  on  her  return,  not  unlike 
the  dove  of  ISToah's  ark,  brought  back  an  em- 
blem of  hope.  This  was  not  an  olive  sprig, 
but  a  bunch  of  currants,  and  a  few  leaves  of 
crimson  peony.  Here  were  indubitable  signs 
of  approaching  spring.  For  my  part,  I 
greeted  the  current  sprigs  and  the  peony 
with  as  tender  an  affection  as  I  would  old 
acquaintances  in  a  strange  land. 

All  the  way  below  Samarov,  the  country 
was  a  wild  desert,  presenting  not  a  vestige  of 
human  habitation  ;  as  though  this  wilderness 
was  designed  to  constitute  a  line  of  demarc- 
ation between  the  settlements  of  the  Tartar 
race,  and  those  of  the  nomade  Ostiaks. 

Farther  north,  a  few  yourtas,  a  settle- 
ments of  Ostiaks  were  occasionally  observ- 
able. Whenever  we  met  them,  our  steward 
was  wont  to  enter  into  communication  with 
the  inhabitants,  going  himself  on  shore,  or 
sending  out  a  boat  for  the  purpose  of  pro- 
curing provisions.  In  this  manner,  we 
frequently  succeeded  in  getting  ducks,  eggs, 
or  fish;  though  we  were  not  always  so 
fortunate.      Our  fare  consisted  of  barley- 


OF    SIBEEIA.  121 

gruel,  or  dumplings,  made  of  flour,  of  which 
we  had  a  good  provision. 

The  stock  of  bread  and  meat  which  we 
had  with  us  became  useless,  for  what  we  did 
not  soon  consume  was  spoiled.  Loaves  of 
bread  turned  mouldy;  and  of  the  whole 
only  biscuits  were  eatable.  The  rest  of  the 
passengers,  more  experienced  than  ourselves, 
had  no  bread,  only  biscuits,  and  were  better 
ofl". 

One  day,  on  approaching  an  Ostiak  colony, 
we  observed  our  steward  making  preparations 
for  going  on  shore.  I  inquired  the  reason, 
and  was  informed  that  he  was  desirous  of 
purchasing  a  cow,  to  be  supplied  with  milk, 
during  his  stay  on  the  wild  shores  of  the 
Oby  Sea.  On  hearing  this,  I  conceived  also 
a  desire  to  possess  a  cow  for  my  futiu^e 
housekeeping  at  Berezov.  The  steward  most 
willingly  undertook  the  commission  ;  and  in 
a  few  hours,  to  my  great  satisfaction,  a  very 
beautiful  dun  cow  was  brought  in  a  boat,  with 
a  supply  of  hay  sufficient  for  several  days. 
For  a  treat,  tea  was  immediately  made.  Yf  e 
had  no  lack  of  milk  and  cream,  which  added 
greatly  to  our  comforts ;  and  what  was  more, 

VOL.    I.  G 


122  REVELATIONS 

I  had  no  longer  a  fear  of  getting  consumptive 
without  milk  at  Berezov,  and  this  comfort, 
so  important  for  me,  I  had  procured  at 
the  expense  of  only  twenty-five  paper 
rubles. 

The  morning  of  the  28th  May  dawned 
beautifully,  but  was  followed  by  a  violent 
storm.  Not  anticipating  this  sudden  change, 
the  vessel  was  in  the  middle  of  the  river. 
An  alarm  was  raised,  and  all  was  turmoil  on 
board.  It  was  safest  to  steer  for  a  shallow 
place  and  anchor.  On  one  side  the  bank  was 
high  and  the  current  deep,  and  the  gale  just 
carried  the  vessel  towards  it ;  while  it  drove 
it  fi'om  the  other,  where  the  river  was  less 
rapid  and  not  so  deep,  and  which  seemed  the 
more  eligible  refuge.  The  vessel  was  quite 
at  the  mercy  of  the  hurricane.  The  most 
experienced  men  were  called  to  the  helm,  and 
all  hands  to  the  oars.  It  was  feared  that  the 
rudder  would  break,  a  circumstance  which 
might  have  led  to  a  serious  catastrophe. 
Strong  poles,  and  the  largest  oars,  purposely 
kept  for  such  casualties,  were  brought  forward 
to  strengthen  it,  and  by  such  efforts  at  last 
we  succeeded  in  reaching  a  bay   sheltered 


OF    SIBERIA.  123 

from  the  force  of  the  hurricane  by  a  neigh- 
bouring forest,  where  we  cast  anchor. 

We  were  detained  a  whole  day.  The  cold 
was  piercing,  and  the  snow  fell  fast  amidst 
violent  gusts  of  wind.  At  the  dawn  of  the 
following  day,  the  gale  had  lulled  and  we 
immediately  started  on  our  farther  voyage. 

In  this  part  of  the  world  it  is  only  on  the 
shores  of  the  rivers  that  we  find  human 
habitations,  for  the  inland  country  is  entirely 
uninhabited.  But  even  here  the  landscape 
has  the  appearance  of  a  perfect  desert.  In 
our  progress  we  observed  but  a  few  solitary 
yourtas  of  the  Ostiak,  and  these  at  a  distance 
of  a  great  many  versts  from  each  other. 
From  our  first  entrance  on  the  Oby,  the 
character  of  the  whole  country  continued 
unaltered.  It  was  invariably  the  same 
expanse  of  waters,  the  same  kind  of  forests, 
with  this  sole  difference,  that  at  every  verst 
onward  the  country  became  more  dreary  and 
more  solitary.  Huge  masses  of  rock  lay 
along  the  shore,  and  some  protruded  their 
rugged,  monstrous  shapes  from  beneath  the 
water,  while  their  fantastic  forms  and 
gigantic  dimensions  were  perfectly  in  unison 

G  2 


124  REVELATIONS 

with  tlie  wild  grandeur  of  the  suiToimding 
scenery. 

No  small  degree  of  skill  and  caution  was 
required  on  the  part  of  the  crew,  while  we 
continued  our  voyage,  as  the  vessel  had  fre- 
quently hidden  rocks  to  pass,  on  which,  with 
less  caution,  she  might  have  gone  to  pieces. 
The  least  jerk,  therefore,  used  to  apprise  us 
of  danger,  and  caused  perturbation  and 
dismay. 

On  the  shore  I  could  observe  abundance 
of  small  stones,  diversified  in  shape  and 
colour,  washed  by  the  billows,  and  shining  in 
the  sand.  Not  understanding  mineralogy  I 
could  not  determine  what  they  were ;  and 
was  sorry  for  it.  Some  were  most  beautiful, 
both  transparent  and  opaque ;  some  all  green, 
others  smooth  like  marble,  with  veins  of  blue, 
yellow,  and  other  colours  running  through 
them;  and  manj^,  and  to  my  liking  the  most 
curious,  were  those  which  had  the  appearance 
of  being  strewn  over  with  gold  and  silver 
sand.  Some  parts  of  the  shore  were  mere 
densely  covered  with  them  than  others,  and 
the  stones  wanted  only  polish  to  be  exqui- 
sitely ornamental. 


OF    SIBERIA.  125 

We  arrived  at  last  off  Xoiidinsk,  a  village 
of  about  twenty  huts,  inliabited  solely  by 
Eussian  settlers.  This  place  is  insignificant, 
and  remarkable  only  for  its  Eusso-Greek 
Monastery,  transferred  hither  from  Berezov  on 
the  destruction  of  that  town  by  fire  in  1798. 
I  had  no  inducement,  had  there  even  been 
an  opportunity,  to  examine  the  locality  more 
accurately,  the  weather  being  exceedingly 
unfavourable,  raw,  cold,  and  stormy ;  and 
both  myself  and  Josephine  were  indisposed. 
She  caught  cold  in  her  face,  and  I  was 
aiSicted  with  erysipelas.  We  could  not, 
without  the  danger  of  aggravating  our 
sufferings,  expose  ourselves  to  cold  and  a 
bleak  wind — we  therefore  kept  to  our 
cabins. 

I  was  by  no  means  sorry  that  our  prolonged 
voyages,  at  so  inclement  a  season,  when  the 
air  could  neither  be  warmed,  dried,  nor  pui'i- 
fied,  was  soon  to  terminate.  Every  discom- 
fort dming  the  journey  is  felt  the  more  keenly 
when  persons  suffer  from  illness. 

At  last  we  left  the  Oby  and  entered  on  the 
Soswa,  one  of  the  minor  tributaries,  though 
still  large  enough  in  its  volume  of  water  to 


126  REVELATIONS 

surpass  the  largest  rivers  of  tlie  European 
continent.  It  rises  in  the  Uralian  mountains, 
and  after  absorbing  in  its  course  a  number  of 
smaller  streams  and  rivers,  falls  into  the  Oby 
at  no  great  distance  from  Berezov. 

'No  sooner  had  we  entered  on  the  Soswa, 
than  all  eyes  tui-ned  towards  the  north  ;  and 
it  was  not  long  before  a  shout  of  joy  was 
raised,  "Berezov!  Berezov!" 

We  had  been  a  fortnight  on  our  voyage. 
In  such  cases,  the  sight  of  the  country  to 
which  one  is  proceeding  forms  usually  an 
event  of  no  small  importance ;  and  more 
especially  on  a  voyage  which,  pleasing  as  it 
might  in  other  respects  be,  cannot  after  all 
but  prove  excessively  irksome  by  its  uniform- 
ity and  sameness.  An  incident  like  the 
present,  therefore,  could  not  have  been  felt 
by  us  otherwise  than  as  an  interruption  as 
gratifying  as  it  was  desirable.  When  -the 
joyful  exclamation  of  "  Berezov !"  was  raised, 
no  ordinary  excitement  prevailed  on  board. 
All  rushed  on  deck  to  see  it,  if  possible,  with 
their  own  eyes,  as  though  they  still  were  in 
doubt  and  could  not  trust  to  the  testimony 
of  others.     I  myself  left  my'cabin  and  shared 


OF    SIBERIA.  127 

in  the  general  impulse,  eager  to  get  a  distant 
look  of  the  place  destined  for  my  fature 
abode. 

Cui-iosity  being  at  length  satiated,  the 
next  object  of  every  passenger  was  his  indi- 
vidual concerns,  and  to  these  we  all  directed 
our  attention,  according  to  the  cn-cumstances 
in  which  we  were  placed.  Some  betook 
themselves  to  washing  and  brushing  their 
clothes  ;  others  were  busied  with  packing  up 
their  things  and  surveying  their  articles  of 
merchandise.  Nearly  all  wished  to  appear 
in  their  best  trim. 

it  was  not  until  these  particular  arrange- 
ments had  been  duly  terminated,  that  public 
affairs  were  thought  of.  Then,  in  honour  of 
our  vessel,  it  was  determined  to  announce  her 
arrival  by  firing  tliree  salutes. 

I  looked  on  all  these  movements  with 
interest,  almost  envying  those  passengers 
who,  on  shores  so  remote,  could  expect  to 
meet  with  relations  and  friends — who  had 
somebody  to  welcome,  or  at  least  to  receive 
them  at  their  domestic  hearths.  I,  on  the 
contraiy,  was  neither  expected  nor  had  any- 
body to  meet  me,  and  having  no  inducement 


128  EEYELATIONS 

to  change  my  travelling  dishabille,  I  remained 
impassable  at  the  door  of  my  cabin,  like  St. 
John's  statue  standing  on  the  edge  of  splash- 
ing wells  and  streams. 

At  last,  drawn  along  with  the  rest  in  the 
general  vortex,  I  stepped  on  deck,  as  I 
thought  I  should  have  a  good  opportunity  to 
see  all  the  preparations  for  the  salute.  I  had 
to  wait  a  few  moments,  as  the  thunder-bear- 
ing machine  had  not  yet  been  brought 
forward  ;  but  at  length  the  steward  made  his 
appearance,  and  a  ridiculously  diminutive 
camion,  of  the  shape  of  a  good-sized  rat,  was 
brought  after  liim.  I  could  not  help  laugh- 
ing at  his  apology  for  the  war  engine.  I 
could  not  tliink  otherwise  than  that  this  was 
a  joke  and  mystification ;  yet  the  counte- 
nances of  all  concerned  in  the  business,  were 
full  of  gravity. 

As  soon  as  we  had  arrived  near  enough  to 
Berezov,  three  salvos  were  fired,  and  I  found 
to  my  astonishment  that  the  report  was  far 
louder  than  I  expected.  Thence  I  could  not 
help  drawing  this  most  instructive  moral, 
which  is  not  the  worse  for  being  found  in 
many   ingenious   fables,  that   "it  does  not 


or   SIBERIA.  129 

require  to  be  great  to  make  much  noise  in 
the  world."  Our  vessel  at  last  stopped. 
The  anchor  was  cast,  and  passengers  thronged 
to  the  boats  all  eager  to  land. 

The  Cossack  who  escorted  us,  and  whose 
mother  resided  at  Berezov,  was  the  first  that 
disembarked,  having  to  procure  for  us  a  tem- 
porary lodging.  Josephine  and  I  remained 
on  board,  and  we  saw  no  earthly  reason  why 
we  should  be  in  a  hurry  to  go  ashore. 

I  experienced  not  the  least  impatience  for 
the  Cossack's  return,  and  though  hours 
elapsed  and  he  came  not,  I  felt  quite  uncon- 
cerned. I  employed  the  interval  in  taking  a 
survey  of  Berezov.  I  could  discern  two 
Eusso-Greek  churches  built  of  brick,  and  a 
large  house  of  wood,  painted  yellow,  standing 
on  a  hdl,  that  overlooked  the  river.  The  rest 
of  the  to^vn  consisted  of  small  wooden  houses, 
the  largest  two  stories  high,  and  all  appearing 
dingy  and  blackened  with  rain.  The  town 
was  siuTOunded,  except  on  the  side  fronting 
the  river,  by  a  cedar  forest,  presenting  an 
interminable  back-ground  of  wood. 

The  Horodnitchi,  who  is  the  highest 
functionary  resident  in  the  town,  came  along- 

G  3 


ISO  REVELATIONS 

side  in  a  large  and  comfortable  boat  to 
convey  us  to  our  temporary  lodgings,  till  we 
could  find  some  more  suitable.  Notwith- 
standing this  civility,  and  his  apologies  for 
having  kept  us  waiting  two  hours,  with  a 
pressing  invitation  to  us  to  go  on  shore  with 
him  in  his  own  boat,  I  could  not  leave  the 
vessel  without  some  apprehensions  and  mis- 
givings, as  Josephine  and  I  were  the  only 
persons  now  on  board,  all  having  gone  ashore 
immediately  on  our  coming  to  anchor,  and 
everything  in  the  bark  being  left  to  take  care 
of  itself.  Without  letting  a  word  drop 
before  the  functionary,  I  communicated  this 
fact  to  our  Cossack,  but  he  assured  me  that 
there  was  nothing  to  fear,  as  all  was  perfectly 
safe.  Without  more  words,  therefore,  we 
got  into  the  boat,  the  Horodnitchi  and  the 
Cossack  with  us,  and  left  the  vessel  and  its 
contents  under  the  safeguard  of  the  public 
faith. 


OF   SIBERIA,  131 


CHAPTEE  VIII. 

« 

The  bay — Lodgings — Want  of  market — Sour  ducks — 
Nights  with  daylight — Breakfast  on  water — New 
Lodgings — Supper — Arrangement  of  the  rooms — 
Superfluous  gifts — The  hostess — Sudden  summer 
heat. 

We  disembarked  at  the  quay  in  the  bay, 
and  found  a  crowd  of  people  of  all  classes,  old 
and  young,  standing  on  the  shore,  the 
women  dressed  in  gaudy,  bright  colours,  their 
gowns,  pelisses,  and  handkerchiefs  shining 
like  so  many  flower  beds,  as  if  it  were  a  fair. 
Seeing  this  assemblage  of  people  at  one  point, 
not  on  Sunday,  but  on  a  working  day,  I  con- 
ceived quite  a  different  idea  of  Berezov  from 
what  I  had  previously  entertained. 


132  HEVELATIONS 

Making  our  way  tlu'ough  this  throng,  we 
proceeded,  in  company  with  the  imperial  func- 
tionary, to  the  lodgings  prepared  for  us. 

After  so  long  a  voyage,  and  confinement 
in  a  narrow  cabin,   where  we  could  scarcely 
make  three  steps  across,  it  was  quite  a  relief 
to  enjoy   the  unconstrained  freedom  of  our 
feet,  and  a  luxury  to  be  put  into  possession 
of  two  airy,  light  and  cleanly  rooms.     The 
only  drawback  was  that  the  fire  being  lighted 
in  the  stove  shortly,  before  our  arrival,  as  is 
usual  on  such  occasions,  there  was  a  sufFo^ 
eating  smell  from  it.     But  the  Cossack,  who 
from   our   guard  had  become  our  landlord, 
suggested  we  should  in  the  meanwhile  occupy 
the  room  of  his  o^vn  family ;  and  according 
to  the  custom  of  the  country,  we  were  treated 
with  tea.     As  we  were  now,,  however,  close 
upon  St.  Peter's  Bay,  a  period  of  strict  Lent, 
the  tea  was  served  without  milk  or  cream ; 
and  tea  is  a  beverage  which  I  could  never 
bear  without  the  latter  accessories.     More- 
over, we  were  very  hungry.     But  as  it  would 
have  been  anything  but  good  taste  to  impose 
laws  on  hospitality  so  courteously  ofi'ered  to 
us,  we  repressed  our  desire  for  more  substan- 


OF    SIBERIA.  133 

tial  food,  comforting  ourselves  with  the  idea 
of  having  onr  own  household  arranged  very 
speedily,  when  we  could  do  whatever  we 
wished.  Wlien  the  stove  had  burnt  out,  and 
the  rooms  were  ventilated,  we  retired  to  our 
rooms. 

All  our  luggage,  together  with  the  cow, 
was  still  on  board  the  vessel ;  and  we  were 
told  that  we  could  hardly  have  them  this  day, 
as  it  was  difficult  to  find  people  who  would 
disembark  them;  and  besides,  our  present 
lodging  being  occupied  but  temporarily,  it 
was  difficult  to  provide  a  place  for  them. 
Not  seeing  much  reason,  therefore,  why  we 
should  be  in  a  hurry,  I  asked  our  landlord  if 
he  could  procure  us  some  articles  of  food 
from  the  market,  when  he  replied  that  there 
was  none  in  the  town. 

"  No  market !  Then  where  do  you  get 
your  food  ?  "  I  inquired. 

"  Everybody  gets  his  food  where  he  can," 
was  his  reply. 

I  never  supposed,  nor  could  any  such  idea 
have  ever  entered  into  my  imagination,  that 
a  town  could  exist  without  a  market.  Yet 
such  was  the  case  here  ;  and  we  saw  that  we 


134  EEVELATIONS 

could  not  do  otherwise  than  accommodate 
ourselves  to  the  exigency. 

I  inquii'ed  of  the  Cossack  whether  he 
could  not  supply  us  with  something  out  of 
his  own  pantry  ;  but  his  reply  was,  that  he 
had  nothing,  and  all  he  could  give  us  at  that 
moment  was  sour  ducks,  which  perhaps  would 
not  be  to  our  taste. 

The  hungry  are  never  over  dainty.  Thinking, 
therefore  that  the  ducks,  of  which  he  spoke  so 
disparagingly,  might  not  be  so  bad,  and  that 
hunger  might  easily  reconcile  our  palates  to 
a  worse  dish,  I  requested  that  they  should  be 
served.  This  being  done,  we  found  to  our 
great  mortification  that  "  sour  "  was  but  an 
euphonious  term  for  meat  absolutely  putrid. 

We  could  not  touch  even  a  morsel  of  such 
disgusting  stuff,  and  there  remained  no  alter- 
native but  to  betake  ourselves  to  bed,  without 
appeasing  the  cravings  of  hunger. 

There  was  no  night,  but  the  perfect  light 
of  day  prevailed  the  whole  time.  This  differ- 
ence we  could  not  observe  before,  while  we 
were  on  board  the  vessel,  through  the  narrow 
window  of  our  cabin,  for,  though  it  might 
have  been  clear  on  the  deck,  the  light  even 


OF   SIBERIA. 


135 


of  noou  coiild  but  scantily  penetrate  into  our 
dormitory.  But  here  the  ease  was  diJfferent ; 
it  was  continual  daylight,  without  any  dis- 
tinction between  day  and  night;  and  this 
the  more  visible  from  the  houses  in  Siberia 
having  an  excessive  number  of  windows.  I 
can  hardly  account  for  the  introduction  of 
such  an  absurd  taste  in  architecture,  and  one 
so  particularly  unsuited  to  a  northern  climate. 

What  with  the  glare  of  light  streaming 
upon  us,  the  keenness  of  hunger,  and  the 
novelty  of  our  position,  neither  Josephine 
nor  myself  could  for  a  single  moment  close 
our  eyes,  and  we  passed  the  whole  night 
in  restless  attempts  to  compose  ourselves. 

No  sooner  did  the  people  of  the  house 
awake  in  the  morning,  than  we  saw  a  tea- 
urn,  with  boiling  water  and  milk,  figure  on 
our  table  ;  but  the  good  people  probably  had 
forgotten  that  we  had  neither  tea  nor  sugar, 
as  our  things  were  yet  on  board  the  vessel. 

Josephine  and  I  exchanged  looks,  and 
easily  guessed  that,  after  the  last  day's  fast, 
we  were  doomed  again  to  a  meagre  diet. 
But  we  gathered  strength  from  resignation, 
and  the   samovar  being  arranged   by    our 


136  REVELATIONS 

landlord's  daughter,  after  she  left  the  room, 
we  filled  our  cups  with  water  and  milk,  and 
baby-like  partook  of  this  innocent  beverage. 
But,  wishing  to  put  a  stop  to  our  discomfort, 
we  immediately  afterwards  went  out  to  look 
for  a  lodging  where  we  might  in  some 
manner  or  other  establish  ourselves. 

In  our  search  after  lodgings,  we  went 
straight  to  the  house  recommended  to  us  at 
Tobolsk,  by  Colonel  Krzyzanowski,  where,  as 
he  assured  us,  he  was  comfortably  lodged 
for  fourteen  months.  The  proprietor  was  a 
Cossack,  named  Kozlow. 

There  being  no  market  at  Berezov,  and  not 
having  any  servant,  it  was  idle  to  think  of 
any  arrangement  for  a  separate  household. 
"We  were  soon  convinced  that  we  could  not 
do  otherwise  than  take  board  and  lodging,  as 
all  strangers  and  even  government  officials, 
who  arrive  here  without  families,  usually  do  ; 
and  this  the  more,  as  no  provisions  could  be 
got  except  those  supplied  at  the  government 
contract,  and  from  government  stores.  Per- 
suaded, therefore,  that  this  was  by  far  the 
better  course,  we  made  proposals  to  the 
Cossack  to  that  effect,  and  these  being  agreed 


OF   SIBERIA.  137 

to,  our  contract  was  completed,  and  people 
were  despatclied  to  fetch  our  luggage  from 
the  vessel. 

Meanwhile  our  new  landlady,  on  hearing 
that  we  had  not  yet  dined,  immediately 
made  arrangements  to  prepare  a  repast  for 
us,  and  in  a  few  moments  we  saw  a  dish  of 
excellent  gruel,  boiled  with  milk,  placed  on 
om^  table,  together  with  some  cakes.  She 
also  promised  she  would  procure  us  some 
game,  and  other  more  substantial  articles  of 
food  for  our  next  meal.  By  this,  and  several 
other  things  that  came  within  our  obser- 
vation, we  were  soon  convinced  that  the 
different  reports  we  had  heard  at  Tobolsk,  in 
disparagement  of  Berezov,  were  not  founded 
in  truth.  We  saw  plenty  of  cattle,  and  of  a 
superior  breed.  Our  landlady  alone  kept 
ten  cows  ;  and  many  of  her  neighbours  had 
as  many,  and  some  even  a  greater  number. 

"We  lost  no  time  in  arranging  the  rooms 
assigned  to  us.  They  were  tliree  in  number, 
and  the  floor  of  each  was  very  clean,  and  the 
walls  papered.  Our  things  were  safely  brought 
from  the  vessel ;  and,  having  unpacked  and 
put  them  all  in  order,   we   were   delighted 


138  REVELATIONS 

with  the  appearance  of  our  new  home.  Both 
the  landlord  and  the  landlady  were  all 
attention  to  us,  and  we  could  even  observe 
that  their  civility  was  not  unmixed  with 
a  good  deal  of  sympathy  for  our  fate. 
Their  services,  therefore,  instead  of  being 
mercenary,  as  they  commonly  are,  seemed 
rather  a  protection  which  they  extended  to 
us — a  helping  hand  of  kindness  in  distress 
and  need.  They  both  assisted  us  in 
arranging  our  chambers,  and  were  most 
anxious  to  make  them  as  comfortable  and 
snug  as  possible. 

Thus  we  were  happily  settled  in  our 
habitation,  everything  was  in  its  place  and 
in  order.  "We  had  even  more  furniture  than 
we  could  find  room  for.  Among  such  super- 
fluities, in  particular,  were  a  sofa,  a  table, 
and  two  arm-chairs,  which  we  had  brought 
from  Tobolsk.  They  had  been  given  us  by 
Onuphry  Yietrasz  Kiewicz,  who,  in  his 
ex:cessive  anxiety  for  us,  thinking  we  might 
want  them  at  Berezov,  abridged  his  own 
comforts,  and  packed  them  with  om-  other 
effects  on  board  the  vessel.  His  gift,  which 
was  a  privation  to  him,  now   happened  to 


OF    SIBERIA.  139 

prove  but  an  incumbrance  to  us,  as  there  was 
enough  furniture  in  the  house,  which,  though 
not  exquisite,  and  only  of  rough  wood,  was 
yet  good  enough.  These  pieces  of  furniture 
had  however,  the  most  prominent  and  the  most 
sunny  position — that  is,  the  place  of  honour 
asigned  to  them,  to  add  as  it  were  some  splen- 
dour to  our  humble  domicile. 

Looking  on  these  objects  of  superfluity,  I 
often  thought  how  far  a  noble  mind,  when 
not  corrupted  by  fortune,  or  crushed  by 
adversity — placed  though  he  may  be  amidst 
most  trying  circumstances — can  be  useful  to 
others.  This  certainly  was  evidenced  by  the 
example  set  by  the  donor  of  these  souvenirs. 
I  have  myself  witnessed  him  struggling  with 
poverty,  as  he  was  compelled  to  maintain 
himself  by  the  labour  of  his  own  hands  ;  but 
in  spite  of  his  limited  means,  he  was  never 
weary  of  assisting  his  compatriots  in  their 
difhculties ;  by  his  advice,  his  intercession, 
his  personal  services,  and  not  unfi'equently 
even  by  his  purse. 

Our  landlady,  who  was  well  off,  thrifty 
and  hospitable,  though  rustic  in  her  man- 
ners, behaved  towards  us  with  great  kindness, 


140  REVELATIONS 

not  in  the  manner  in  which  it  is  customary 
to  treat  boarders  in  our  own  towns  where  they 
have  bread  dealt  out  to  them  by  morsels, 
and  every  additional  comfort  calculated  and 
bargained  for ;  but  she  considered  us  rather 
as  guests  whom  Providence  had  brought 
under  her  roof.  Whatever  her  house 
possessed  was  placed  at  our  service — as  nice 
cakes,  and  good  cream,  and  other  articles  of 
the  best  quality,  such  as  made  our  food  not 
only  palatable,  but  almost  luxurious.  Yet 
I  cannot  say  but  that  the  appearance  of  some 
of  the  dishes  was  very  strange,  and  at  first 
repulsive  to  us.  Such  were  the  roast  duck, 
with  a  cold  sauce  prepared  of  vinegar  and 
cream,  and  a  meat  pudding  boiled  in  milk. 
But  amidst  a  variety  of  dishes,  which  were 
at  each  meal  brought  on  our  table,  we  had 
only  to  choose,  and  need  not  be  hungry. 

After  a  day  or  two,  it  suddenly  became 
very  hot.  It  seemed  as  though  we  had  made 
an  abrupt  leap  from  winter  to  summer.  One 
day  we  were  obliged  to  have  a  fire  in  the 
stove,  and  on  the  next  day  the  heat  was 
intolerable.  The  whole  face  of  the  earth  was 
then  brown,  and  the  trees  naked ;    but  now 


OF    SIBERIA.  141 

we  saw  grass  springing  up,  plants  sprouting, 
trees  bursting  into  leaves  ;  and  the  hollyhock 
appearing  in  bloom.  The  change  was  as 
sudden  as  it  was  marvellous. 

We  could  scarcely  believe  that  within  the 
short  interval  of  eight  hoiu's,  Nature  had 
effected  such  a  great  change.  What  had 
become  of  spring !  what  of  that  spring  in 
which  oiu-  senses  are  filled  with  such  rap- 
tui'ous  delight,  and  which  divides  the  frost 
of  winter  from  the  sultriness  of  summer  ? 
Here  the  leap  is  instantaneous.  Yesterday 
the  warmest  clothing  hardly  sufficed  to  keep 
me  warm;  to-day  again,  the  heat  is  so 
intense  that  we  are  obliged  to  cool  the  Avater 
we  wish  to  drink  with  ice. 

The  day  was  everlasting,  and  whether  we 
clothed  our  eyes  or  awoke  from  sleep,  day- 
light was  constantly  streaming  in  at  the 
windows,  and  circling  over  the  horizon.  'No 
dew  was  to  be  met  with  here  ;  and  the  earth 
had  none  the  whole  summer. 

Oh,  lovely  spring  of  my  country !  how  I 
shall  ever  remember,  and  ever  long  for  thee ! 


142  EEVELATIONS 


CHAPTEE  IX. 

Rapidity  of  vegetation — Preparations  for  the  fisheries 
in  the  Oby  Gulf — Performance  of  a  religious  rite — 
A  family  farewell — A  touching  scene — Site  of  Berezov 
— Streets — Structure  of  the  houses — Churches — Burial 
places — Menzikov's  corpse — His  grave — Graves  of 
other  exiles — Classification  of  the  inhabitants — Pro- 
visions— A  Siberian  school. 

With  all  these  drawbacks,  however,  I 
must  confess  that  Berezov  did  not  appear  to 
me  so  terrible  as  various  reports  had  repre- 
sented it.  There  is  a  proverb  which  says, 
"  that  even  the  Devil  was  handsome  when 
he  was  young  ;"  and  this  might  be  as  fitly 
applied  to  certam  regions  in  the  regenerating 
season  of  spring. 

In    July,     everjiihing     around     Berezov 


OF    SIBEEIA.  14 


o 


appeared  in  new  and  gay  apparel.  Larch 
trees  were  decked  with  tiny  leaves  of  the 
freshest  verdure,  filling  the  air  with  sweet 
perfume.  The  grass,  quickened  by  the 
moistiu'e  of  the  thawing  soil,  grew  incredibly 
fast.  The  river  Soswa,  overflowing  its  banks 
fai'  and  wide,  presented  to  the  eye  an 
immense  expanse  of  water,  encircling  with 
her  arms  numberless  islands  covered  with 
willows,  and  disappearing  in  the  distance 
like  a  mirror  of  clear  azure.  I^earer  us,  it 
is  rolling  and  roaring,  and  dashing  its  foam- 
ing billows  against  the  precipitous  banks  of 
the  town. 

Along  the  shore  lay  a  number  of  fishing- 
boats  and  barges,  prepared  for  a  voyage  to 
tlie  Oby  sea.  They  formed  a  forest  of  masts, 
curiously  rigged  and  decked  with  number- 
less colom-ed  fiags,  which  flaunted  on  the 
air.  Smaller  craft  were  plying  to  and  fro 
between,  the  shore,  and  the  larger  vessels 
freighted  with  stores  and  provisions.  These 
preparations,  unusual  in  this  remote  spot  at 
any  other  season,  rendered  the  town  quite 
animated. 

Our  host,  though  an  aged  man,  had  en- 


144  EEYELATIOXS 

gaged  to  take  part  with  others  in  a  fishing 
expedition;  the  fishing  season  on  the  Oby 
sea,  being  for  the  inhabitants  of  this  part  of 
the  world,  what  the  harvest  season  is  in 
other  coimtries.  EYerybodv  in  good  health 
and  vigour,  not  having  any  more  important 
employment  at  home,  participates  in  it. 
The  necessary  preparations  being  completed, 
the  scene  of  taking  farewell  at  home  fol- 
lowed. 

In  one  of  our  rooms,  screened  by  curtains, 
was  an  image  of  the  tutelar  saint  of  the 
house,  surrounded  bv  a  number  of  other 
images  of  saints  of  less  dimensions,  decked 
all  in  gold  or  silver  apparel.  On  the  eve  of 
parting,  the  aged  man,  accompanied  by  all 
his  family,  entered  the  room,  and  knelt 
before  this  shrine,  touching  the  fioor  several 
times  with  his  forehead,  and  repeating  a 
short  prayer.  All  then  arose,  and  the 
venerable  old  man,  with  tears  in  his  eyes, 
bade  farewell  to  his  wife  and  children,  and 
to  us,  whom  he  considered  as  belonging  to 
his  family.  At  the  same  time,  he  addressed 
a  few  words  to  his  wife,  commending  us  to 
her  particular  protection  and   care.      Then 


OF    SIBERIA,  145 

amidst  the  tears  of  all,  he  proceeded  to  the 
place  of  embarkation. 

He  was  accompanied  by  his  family,  and 
by  a  large  number  of  his  friends,  who  waited 
on  the  shore  till  they  saw  him  safe  on  board 
the  vessel. 

My  heart  was  fall,  and  tears  gushed 
involuntarily  from  my  eyes.  For  my  part, 
I  am  not  conscious  that  greatness,  or  splen- 
dour, or  the  contrivances  of  luxury,  have  any 
attraction  for  me,  or  that  I  ever  longed  for 
the  possession  of  them;  but  a  neat  and 
cleanly  dwelling,  however  humble,  where 
concord,  order,  and  competence  reign,  has 
invariably  had  an  uncommon  charm  for  me. 
In  such  a  place  I  have  always  been  desirous 
to  live  and  die.  Throughout  my  life,  feelings 
of  the  heart  alone  constituted  my  world,  and 
from  them  alone  sprang  all  my  delights  and 
sorrows,  my  hours  of  happiness  and  of  pain. 
I  derived  my  bliss  more  from  the  hand  of 
IN'ature  than  from  society.  But  alas  !  this 
was  but  a  dream — an  idle  reverie.  It  was 
just  on  that  point  that  the  thunderbolt  had 
struck,  and  at  one  blow  demolished  all  my 

joys. 

VOL.    I.  H 


146  REVELATIONS 

As  July  advanced,  a  northern  breeze 
cooled  the  air,  and  there  were  not  so  many 
musquitos.  I  now  frequently  walked  out, 
in  order  to  get  a  view  of  the  town,  and 
become  acquainted,  as  far  as  possible,  with 
its  environs. 

Berezov  is  a  distinct  town  of  the  govern- 
ment of  Tobolsk,  situated  in  64°  latitude,  on 
the  left  side  of  the  Soswa,  which,  at  a 
short  distance  from  it,  empties  itself  into  the 
Oby. 

The  banks  of  the  river,  on  which  the  town 
is  built,  are  elevated.  The  soil  is  sandy, 
and  the  streets  are  always  sandy  and  muddy 
even  during  the  greatest  summer  heat.  On 
the  surface  of  the  mud,  however,  during 
summer,  a  dry  incrustation  is  formed;  but 
woe  to  the  person  who,  trusting  in  its  ap- 
parent solidity  and  firmness,  should  ventui-e 
to  direct  his  unfortunate  feet  on  it,  as  the 
deceitfal  crust  would  break  under  him,  and 
he  would  have  hard  work  to  emerge  from  the 
quagmire  beneath. 

Communication  from  one  house  to  another 
is  therefore  not  easy;  and  boards,  large,  long 
wooden  planks,  and  round  stems  of  whole 


OF    SIBERIA.  147 

trees,  are  laid  across  the  streets,  to  facilitate 
it.  In  some  places,  we  observed  pools  of 
clear  water,  too  deep  to  be  ever  dried  up. 
These  pools  are  honoured  by  the  inhabitants 
with  the  appellation  of  ozera,  or  lakes. 

In  our  towns  such  a  wretched  state  of 
things  would  never  be  tolerated ;  for  what 
inhabitants  would  like  to  have  then-  houses 
built  in  streets  which  are  impassable  for  any 
vehicle  ?  But  here,  this  inconvenience  is  of 
no  importance.  During  the  whole  summer, 
we  did  not  see  one  carriage  pass  through  the 
streets.  There  are  no  wheels,  no  carts,  no 
horses ;  and  there  are,  of  course,  no  roads. 
In  town,  all  communications  between  the 
inhabitants  are  effected  on  foot,  and  out  of 
its  precincts,  by  boats  on  the  river. 

The  whole  surface  of  the  district  of 
Berezov  has  as  yet  remained  untouched  by 
the  wheel.  No  trace  of  a  furrow  is  seen  on 
it.  Nor  indeed  would  a  road  be  of  any  use, 
while  the  whole  extent  of  land  is  but  an 
uninterrupted  track  of  wilderness.  The  few 
inhabitants  that  belong  to  this  district,  are 
settled  only  on  the  banks  of  rivers ;  and  it  is 
chiefly  by  means  of  water   communication 

H  2 


148  REVELATIONS 

that  they  provide  themselves  with  the  neces- 
saries of  life,  as  wood  for  fuel  and  building, 
and  the  different  articles  of  food  and  of 
barter,  which  they  carry  on  with  the  Ostiaks 
and  the  Samoieds.  The  rest  of  the  Upper- 
lands,  stretching  as  far  and  as  wide  as  imagin- 
ation can  conceive,  has,  on  its  whole  extent, 
not  a  single  town,  not  a  village,  nor  even  a 
single  human  hut.  It  is  a  complete  desert, 
inhabited  only  by  wild  beasts. 

Owing  to  a  complete  want  of  roads  from 
one  place  to  another,  the  country  presents 
an  aspect  totally  different  from  other  regions. 
Only  when  swamps,  marshes,  and  rivers  are 
frozen  over,  and  when  their  surface  can  bear 
the  weight  of  the  rein-deer,  can  any  traffic 
by  land  be  prosecuted,  and  at  that  season 
Berezov  may  be  seen  somewhat  enlivened  by 
the  appearance  in  the  streets  of  these  most 
useful  aninals. 

The  town  does  not  consist  of  more  than 
about  two  hundred  houses,  nearly  all  of 
which  are  but  a  story  high.  The  principal 
reason  for  the  adoption  of  this  style  of  build- 
ing is  the  humidity  of  the  ground.  The 
ground-floor  of  a  dwelling  is  appropriated  to 


OF    SIBERIA.  149 

the  kitchen,  the  pantry,  and  other  household 
offices;  the  upper  part  alone  is  inhabited. 
I  could  never  explain  to  myself  satisfactorily 
why  Berezov  has  been  commonly  described 
as  an  island,  as  it  is  washed  only  on  one  side 
by  the  river,  and  on  all  other  sides  is  con- 
tinuous land. 

Even  the  Eussians  give  the  place  this  false 
designation,  with  the  difference  that  they 
speak  of  it  in  the  plural  number,  as  Bere- 
zovski  Ostrowa  (Berezovian  Islands.)  The 
name  of  Berezovian  Isles  is  meant  for  the 
whole  flat,  extensive  plain  on  the  right  bank 
of  the  Soswa,  traversed  by  that  river,  and 
intersected  by  other  tributary  rivers  and 
streams,  which  thus  form  a  sort  of  con- 
tinental archipelago  of  islands,  formerly 
called  by  the  name  of  Berezovian  Islands, 
and  which  on  that  account  might  have 
caused  Berezov,  after  its  elevation  to  the 
rank  of  a  district  town,  to  be  called  after 
them. 

Berezov  has  two  chm^hes,  one  called 
Spaska,  the  other  Zamczaina,  and  both  are 
built  of  brick.  The  appellation  of  the  latter 
signifies  transfluvian,  the  church  being  situ- 


150  REVELATIONS 

ated  on  tlie  opposite  side  of  a  deep  ravine, 
"which,  dimng  the  inundation  of  the  Soswa, 
is  filled  with  water  from  that  river.  At 
that  time,  the  church  is  only  accessible  by  a 
bridge  constructed  over  the  ravine.  It 
stands  on  a  hilly  bank,  from  which  the  view 
is  beautiful.  A  sombre  old  forest  of  larch 
trees  (Pinus  cembra^)  surrounds  the  sacred 
edifice. 

According  to  tradition,  the  larches  of  this 
forest  are  a  remnant  of  a  sacred  grove,  dedi- 
cated to  idolatrous  worship  by  the  ancient 
Ostiaks.  Up  to  the  present  day,  although  a 
considerable  number  of  the  Ostiaks  have  been 
converted  to  Christianity,  the  neophytes  have 
not  discontinued  the  worship  of  ancient 
larch  trees,  which  prevailed  among  their  fore- 
fathers. 

Near  the  sylvan  church  is  an  aristocratic 
burial-place,  adorned  with  monuments  of 
stone  and  marble,  though  the  most  recent  are 
of  iron.  Another  burial-ground,  appropriated 
to  the  poor,  lies  on  the  other  side  of  the  town, 
in  the  forest. 

The  Spaska  church  is  situated  in  the  oppo- 
site   quarter   of    Berezov.     Formerly  there 


OF    SIBERIA.  151 

was  a  burial-place  adjacent,  but  by  order  of 
the  Grovernment  this  has  of  late  been 
abolished  and  another  opened  in  the  forest. 
At  a  little  distance  from  the  latter  is  the 
grave  of  MenzikoVc 

This  last  resting-place  of  a  celebrated  man 
was  discovered  only  a  few  years  ago,  whether 
accidentally,  or  after  a  search,  nobody  can 
tell.  His  body  was  exhumed,  and  was  found 
clad  in  the  uniform  of  his  time,  completely 
frozen,  and  in  perfect  freshness,  as  though  it 
had  been  buried  but  yesterday.  The  earth 
near  Berezov  never  entirely  thaws,  even  in 
summer,  when  the  heat  is  most  intense,  but 
merely  on  the  surface,  or  to  a  very  superficial 
depth.* 

*  It  has  been  observed  that  the  earth  in  the  northern 
parts  of  Siberia  is  congealed  to  an  extraordinary  depth, 
and  probably  has  ever  been  so ;  but  it  much  varies  in 
degree  at  different  places.  '  Hedenstrom  made  several 
trials  at  Tomsk,  and  found  the  ground  only  frozen  to 
the  depth  of  thirty-five  inches,  latitude  56'*  50'.  At 
Yakutsk,  again,  62°  north  latitude,  the  Eussian  American 
Company  bored  for  water  in  the  court-yard  of  their 
establishment  to  the  depth  of  three  hundred  and  eighty 
feet ;  and  the  ground  was  still  frozen  and  no  water  found. 
In  that  same  town  the  inhabitants  have  cellars  under  all 


152  EEVELATIONS 

The  body  of  the  once  mighty  minister  and 
imperial  favourite  was  again  buried,  and  the 
grave  marked  by  a  small  earthen  mound, 
covered  over  with  turf.  It  is  surrounded  also 
by  a  wooden  rail,  which  does  not  promise 
much  durability.  No  stone,  no  inscription 
whatever  announces  who  lies  beneath ;  and 
in  a  short  time,  it  is  most  probable  no  trace 
will  remain  on  earth  commemorative  of  a 
man  born  under  such  a  singular  star — who 
rose  from  the  humblest  class  of  society  to  the 
highest  dignities — who  held  for  a  long  time 
the  balance  of  nations  in  his  hand — ^who  had 
placed  his  descendants  within  a  single  foot- 
step of  the  throne — and  who,  rapid  as  had 
been  his  rise,  was  still  more  rapidly  precipi- 
tated into  the  abyss  of  misery  and  oblivion. 

The  inhabitants  of  Berezov  preserve  as  yet 


their  houses  made  in  the  frozen  ground,  precisely  as  ice- 
houses are  made  in  other  countries.  In  summer,  when 
the  heat  is  as  excessive  as  the  cold  is  in  winter,  they 
place  all  their  fresh  provisions,  such  as  milk,  meat,  and 
fish,  in  these  cellars,  where  everything  becomes  frozen  in 
two  hours.  They  likewise  construct  their  graves  in  the 
same  way,  except  that  they  make  large  fires  above,  and 
bum  the  holes  in  the  ground. 


f^Q 


OF    SIBERIA.  15 

in  their  memory  the  particular  spot  where 
Menzikov,  during  his  banishment,  Kved ;  and 
where  stood  the  hut  in  which  he  lodged,  near 
the  Spaska  church.  The  hut,  unfortunately, 
was  burnt  down  during  the  great  fire  of  1798, 
by  which  nearly  the  whole  town  was  reduced 
to  ashes. 

It  is  also  related,  on  no  other  authority 
than  what  the  people  have  heard  from  older 
persons,  that  subsequent  to  his  downfall, 
Menzikov  became  very  religious;  that  he 
used  to  go  with  his  axe  to  the  forest  to  fell 
the  trees,  and  that  he  died  a  starost,  or  an 
elder  of  the  Spaska  church. 

At  the  Spaska  church,  a  missal  is  pre- 
served, a  gift  from  the  Princess  Olga 
Dolgoruki,  another  great  personage,  who  was 
banished  to  Berezov.  I  have  myself  seen  the 
missal,  which  is  inscribed  with  her  autograph. 
I  was  also  told  that  in  the  same  church  twct 
children  of  Menzikov' s  daughter  were 
buried.  In  what  spot  Prince  Dolgoruki  and 
Osterman  were  buried  nobody  could  inform 
me.  Berezov  might  be  said  to  be  the  N'ecro- 
polis  of  Eussian  greatness. 

The  population  of  the  town  consists  chiefly 

H  3 


154  EEVELATIOXS 

of  Cossacks,  on  whom  it  is  incumbent  to  watch 
over  the  security  of  the  country ;  but  the 
whole  being  in  a  state  of  perfect  peace,  their 
service  is  limited  to  keeping  watch  at  the 
few  Government  offices,  and  carrying  official 
messages  from  this  place  to  Tobolsk.  At  other 
times,  they  devote  themselves  to  commercial 
pui-suits,  which  are  for  the  most  part  carried 
on  with  the  Ostiaks,  and  constitute  the  prin- 
cipal and  almost  the  sole  source  of  theii'  live- 
lihood and  their  wealth.  From  his  infancy, 
the  Cossack  of  this  place  is  impressed  with 
the  idea  that  he  is  born  for  commerce,  and 
being  trained  to  it  by  his  parents,  becomes 
acquainted  with  all  its  details  and  mysteries. 

There  are  several  shops  in  the  town,  in 
which  different  articles  can  be  purchased,  as 
calico,  tea,  sugar,  confectionary,  wine,  &c. 
Flour  and  other  victuals,  or  what  is  commonly 
termed  "the  staff  of  life,"  are,  according  to 
the  quantity  required  for  home  consumption, 
bought  by  the  inhabitants  from  vessels 
when  they  arrive,  and  laid  up  for  the  whole 
winter. 

There  being  no  market,  every  householder 
must  procure  provisions  elsewhere,  or  devise 


or  SIBEEIA.  155 

some  means  by  which  he  may  be  enabled  to 
obtain  them  himself.  The  river  and  the 
forest  thus  become  the  market-place,  and  skill 
and  perseverance  are  disbursed  in  place  of 
money. 

Berezov  is  divided  into  two  parishes  of  the 
Eusso- Greek  Church,  and  is  the  residence  of 
a  Pope  and  Protopope.  It  is  also  the  seat  of 
the  district  government,  and  of  its  jurisdic- 
tion in  all  its  different  ramifications,  in 
accordance  with  the  general  regulation  of 
the  whole  Eussian  empire,  with  the  sole 
exception  of  the  so-styled  Marshal  of  the 
I!^oblesse,  there  being  nobody  here  whom 
that  dignitaiy  could  represent.  The  whole 
duty  of  the  functionaries,  after  all,  is  almost 
nominal,  as  scarcely  any  cases  come  under 
their  consideration. 

In  accordance  with  the  general  regulations, 
there  is  likewise  a  district  school,  composed 
of  two  classes,  where  the  Cossacks,  and 
nearly  all  the  citizens,  send  their  children  to 
be  taught  reading  and  writing.  The  studies 
do  not,  however,  extend  very  far ;  for  no 
sooner  do  the  parents  perceive  that  their 
children  have  learned  reading  with  facility, 


156 


EEVELATIONS 


and  the  art  of  casting  up  accounts  with  the 
Ostiaks,  than  they  take  them  away  from 
school,  as,  in  their  opinion,  any  farther  learn- 
ing would  only  be  a  waste  of  time. 


or  SIBERIA.  157 


CHAPTER  X. 

Musquitos — Visits — Bashfulness  of  a  hostess — A  mer- 
chant widow's  house — Objects  of  luxury  and  European 
taste — ^N'ot  at  home — Summer  heat—  Courtesy  of  the 

Berezovianmaids^Flight — Arrival  of  Madame  X 

A  Berezovian  Bloomer — A  Polish  maid-servant. 

What  a  pity  that  one  cannot  profit  by  the 
fine  but  short  summer  moments  at  Berezov. 
The  sight  of  a  beautiful  forest  almost  touch- 
ing the  threshold  of  the  house,  the  deep 
shade  beneath  the  far  spreading  branches  of 
tall  cedars,  or  of  deep  green  larches,  was 
deliciously  inviting,  and  we  often  were 
tempted  to  seek  refuge  amidst  it  from  the 
piercing  rays  of  the  sun  ;  but  no  sooner  did 
we  venture  into  the  shade,  than  we  were 


158  REVELATIONS 

surrounded  by  dense  swarms  of  musquitos, 
wMchj    starting    from     their     ambuscades, 
attacked  us  on   all    sides.      There  was  no 
possibility  of  repelling  such  myriads  of  blood- 
thirsty assailants.     Yet   after  covering   our 
faces  with  visors  of  hair,  with  which  the 
lady  of  General  Potemkin  had  provided  us 
at  Tobolsk,  and  our  hands  with  thick  gloves, 
and  being  otherwise    armed,   cap-d-pie,  we 
stoutly  marched  on,  nothing  daunted,  to  the 
encounter,  repelling  their  attacks  as  courage- 
ously as  we  could  ;  but  all  our  efforts  proved 
unsuccessful.     After  a  short  and  desperate 
combat,  we  were  obliged  to  beat  a  retreat, 
blistered   from   head    to   foot.      Finding  it 
quite  impossible  to  make  excursions  in  the 
forest,  we  resolved  to  cultivate  our  acquain- 
tance with  the  persons  of  the  place ;  and,  as 
the   Horodnitchi  was  the  principal    inhabi- 
tant, and  had  already  several  times  called  on 
us,  we  thought  it  would  be  most  becoming 
to  commence  our  round  of  visits  with  him. 

We  accordingly  called  at  his  house,  and 
were  ushered  in.  Here  we  were  welcomed 
by  a  young  and  handsome  lady,  who  proved 
to  be  his  wife.     She  said  not  a  word,  but 


OF    SIBERIA.  159 

showed  by  a  pleasing  smile  that  she  was 
gratified  at  our  visit.  Presently  she  left  the 
room  to  look  for  her  husband,  who  in  a  short 
time  an'ived.  Meanwhile  we  looked  round 
the  apartments,  which  were  particularly  neat 
and  clean. 

A  few  minutes  afterwards,  the  youthful 
lady  of  the  house  re-appeared,  more  hand- 
somely di'essed.  She  was  preceded  by  a 
servant  with  a  tray  loaded  with  a  variety 
of  sweetmeats  and  confectionary,  of  which, 
with  divers  signs  and  smiles,  but  not  utter- 
ing a  single  word,  she  politely  pressed  us  to 
partake.  The  expression  of  her  countenance 
was  that  of  exceeding  bashfalness ;  but  as 
she  was  very  young,  handsome,  and  of  a 
mild  disposition,  I  began  to  feel  an  instan- 
taneous affection  for  her,  such  as  is  frequently 
experienced  at  the  sight  of  a  shy  child 
shrinking  at  the  appearance  of  strangers,  and 
displaying  only  to  the  family  circle  all  the 
genuine  charms  and  beauty  of  her  character. 

I  endeavoured  in  every  possible  way  to 
reassure  her,  and  therefore  frequently 
addressed  my  conversation  solely  to  herself. 
She  appeared,  however,   scarcely  to  under- 


160  REVELATIONS 

stand  my  friendly  wishes,  for  her  replies  to 
my  remarks  were  whispered  in  her  husband's 
ears,  and  he,  like  an  echo,  repeated  her 
words  alond.  Fearing  lest  our  first  visit 
would  prove  too  severe  a  task  for  the  young 
hostess,  I  rose  to  take  leave,  when  she  sud- 
denly exclaimed,  ''  Da  Kakje  ?  Samovar !" 
(How  can  you  leave  us  ?  the  tea-urn  !)  These 
Were  the  first  words  we  had  heard  her  utter. 

Thinking  that  our  departure,  without  com- 
plying with  her  request,  might  be  construed 
by  her  husband  into  a  want  of  courtesy,  and 
that  she  herself  might  feel  grieved,  we  con- 
sented to  remain  to  tea,  and  then  separated, 
as  I  had  good  reason  to  think,  on  the  best 
possible  terms. 

Having  once  started  on  our  wandering 
tour,  after  leaving  the  Horodnitchi's  house, 
we  thought  we  might  at  the  same  time  call 
on  a  Madame  Nizegorodtyow,  the  relict  of  a 
wealthy  merchant,  to  whom  we  had  been 
furnished  with  a  letter  of  introduction  by 
her  daughter  at  Tobolsk.  This  lady's  resi- 
dence was  the  largest  in  the  town,  and  by 
far  the  finest.  On  my  first  arrival  at  Berezov, 
I    was,     as     I     have     already     described. 


OF    SIBERIA.  161 

particularly  struck  by  its  appearance.  It 
comprised  a  central  structure,  occupied  by 
herself  and  her  family,  and  two  wings,  each 
one  story  high,  appropriated  to  the  servants. 
The  court-yard  was  enclosed  with  a  strong 
wooden  fence,  which,  as  well  as  the  whole 
mansion,  was  painted  yellow;  contrasting 
strongly  with  the  rest  of  the  dingy  wooden 
houses  of  the  town,  and  the  dark  forest 
scenery  in  the  background. 

We  were  just  entering  the  first  open  door, 
when  we  were  met  by  a  young  man,  who,  in 
a  most  polite  manner,  offered  to  lead  us  to 
the  mistress  of  the  house.  Having  conducted 
us  through  a  suite  of  apartments,  well 
furnished  and  exquisitely  clean,  he  showed 
us  to  a  drawing-room,  when,  as  we  looked 
round,  he  suddenly  disappeared,  not  unlike 
an  ethereal  substance  dissolved  in  space.  We 
had  some  misgivings — and  we  were  not  far 
wrong — that  he  was  a  little  annoyed  at  the 
incompleteness  of  his  toilet,  as  he  was  attired 
in  his  di'essing-gown.  But  we  waited  and 
waited,  and  nobody  appeared,  though  we 
every  moment  expected  to  see  the  mistress 
of  the  house.     Meanwhile,  we  felt  not  the 


162  EEVELATIONS 

least  impatient,  as  tlie  position  in  which  we 
happened  to  be  placed  rather  amused  us  by 
its  novelty.  Moreover,  everything  on  which 
we  fixed  our  eyes  struck  us  with  amazement, 
by  its  rarity,  exquisiteness,  and  even  luxmy. 
In  any  other  part  of  the  world,  these  objects 
would  certainly  not  have  so  absorbed  my 
attention;  but  to  meet  such  objects  of 
splendour,  and  of  European  taste  and  industry 
at  Berezov,  in  the  land  of  the  wild  Ostiaks — 
at  this  extremity  and  last  nook  of  the  world 
— was,  I  must  confess,  what  I  never  could 
have  anticipated. 

The  mansion — for  it  might  justly  be  styled 
such — was  spacious  and  commodious,  con- 
taining stately  apartments,  with  lofty 
windows,  commanding  in  front  a  view  of 
the  boundless  sheet  of  water  and  magnificent 
forest.  Every  pane  of  glass  was  exquisitely 
clean  and  spotless ;  rows  of  flower-pots  stood 
in  the  windows,  with  all  sorts  of  plants, 
vigorous  and  fresh ;  and  all  the  more  charm- 
ing, fr'om  their  being  so  rare  in  that  desolate 
region.  Mirrors  of  enormous  size,  mahogany 
furniture,  paiatiags,  crystal  and  china  vases 
and  silver  plate,  bore  testimony  to  the  wealth 


OF    SIBERIA.  163 

of  their  owner,  and  to  her  European  taste 
and  refinement.  With  snch  things  around, 
one  conld  easily  forget  that  the  locality  was 
Berezov ;  and  forget  I  did.  For  a  moment, 
even  the  purpose  of  my  visit  passed  from  my 
mind,  so  completely  was  I  absorbed  in 
delightful  recollections. 

At  length  the  door  opened,  and  I  was 
reminded  of  the  object  for  which  I  had  come. 
I  raised  my  eyes,  but  instead  of  the  lady  of 
the  house,  for  whom  we  had  so  long  been 
waiting,  the  young  man  whom  we  had  first 
encountered  again  presented  himself,  now 
attired  in  a  stylish  velvet  dressing-gown. 

This  Siberian  beau,  we  now  learned,  was 
the  widoAv's  son.  He  said  that  he  came  to 
inform  us  that  his  mother  was  not  at  home  ; 
but  had  gone  to  call  on  her  daughter,  the 
wife  of  the  Director  of  Police.  If  we  would 
wait,  hoAvever,  he  would  immediately  send  a 
message  to  apprise  her  of  our  visit,  and  he 
Avas  sure  she  Avould  eagerly  return.  Of 
course,  we  could  not  consent  to  such  an 
arrangement,  and  took  leave,  promising  to 
call  some  other  day. 

The   heat   now   grcAV  insupportable,  and 


164  REVELATIONS 

kept  us  imprisoned  in-doors.  There  was  no 
dew  at  night,  no  cooling  breeze  of  sunset,  no 
fresh  air  of  morning;  but  ever  and  ever 
incessant  sunshine  burning  and  scorching 
unremittingly.  The  sun  made  scarcely  a 
momentary  dip  under  the  horizon,  even  then 
not  entirely  concealing  his  burning  rays,  and 
soon  he  lifted  up  his  fiery  orb  again.  It 
vs^as  impossible  to  breathe — impossible  to  sit 
in  a  chair — impossible  to  do  any  work. 
Utter  lassitude  crept  over  the  whole  frame, 
repressing  all  vigour  and  vital  power.  I 
moved  from  place  to  place  in  search  of  relief, 
hoping  to  find  some  cool  spot,  but  in  vain. 
Sometimes  I  threw  myself  on  the  floor,  or 
dragged  my  steps  to  a  bath,  where  I  deluged 
myself  with  buckets  of  cold  water.  This 
certainly  was  refreshing,  and  did  me  good ;  but 
the  benefit  derived  from  even  such  a  mode  of 
cooling  would  be  but  momentary,  and  was 
far  from  making  me  insensible  to  the  over- 
powering hot  blast  of  the  surrounding  atmos- 
phere. From  this  I  became  so  debilitated, 
that  my  feet  began  to  swell,  and  I  grew 
apprehensive  of  di'opsy. 

We  were  told  that  the  current  of  air  on 


OF    SIBERIA.  165 

the  river  side,  was  usually  far  cooler  than  in 
other  places.  Towards  evening,  when  the 
heat  augmented  in  intensity,  we  would 
proceed  to  this  favoured  locality.  But  here 
we  found  our  expectations  of  relief  sadly 
frustrated,  being  assailed  on  all  sides  by  a 
cloud  of  merciless  musquitos,  who  could 
only  be  repelled  by  a  great  amount  of 
exertion. 

On  the  occasion  of  our  first  visit  to  the 
river,  this  was  not  our  only  mischance.  The 
young  women  of  the  Berezovian  Cossack 
families — very  excellent  creatures,  but 
exceedingly  eager  after  novelty,  as  our 
sex  generally  are — seeing  in  what  direction 
we  were  walking,  being  desirous  either  of 
making  our  acquaintance,  or  getting  a  good 
view  of  us,  followed  us  in  a  body.  Absolutely 
running  along,  they  soon  overtook  us,  and 
though  we  were  perfect  strangers  to  all, 
covered  us  with  kisses.  They  were  full  of 
commiseration,  too,  for  our  solitude,  and 
promised  to  do  all  in  their  power  to  amuse 
us  dui'ing  our  stay  amongst  them,  and  in 
proof  of  the  interest  they  took  in  us,  over- 
whelmed us  with  questions  on  our  affairs. 


1G6  EEVELATIOXS 

Having  passed  through  the  double  ordeal 
of  an  attack  from  the  musquitos  and  the 
young  women,  and  being  persuaded  that  to 
rmi  the  risk  of  such  encounters  in  an  open 
field  would  be  anything  but  agreeable,  we 
beat  a  retreat,  determined  to  intrench  our- 
selves within  the  walls  of  our  own  domicile, 
which  we  at  length  reached  in  safety. 

Not  until  we  saw  ourselves  within  our 
own  tlireshold,  did  we  begin  to  breathe  with 
freedom,  rejoiced  to  escape  both  from  the 
stings  of  the  musquitos  and  the  caresses  of 
the  Cossack  women.  We  made  a  vow  not 
to  go  out  of  doors  until  our  winged  assailants 
should  have  disappeared,  when  we  might 
brave  the  fair  Cossacks.  Even  the  enjoy- 
ment of  fresh  air,  however  desirable  and 
necessary,  could  not  compensate  for  the 
trouble  we  had  had  in  battling  with  the 
formidable  insects ;  and  glad  we  were  to  be 
again  at  rest. 

But  this  day  seemed  to  have  been  marked 
in  black  in  the  book  of  our  horoscope.  On 
looking  round  oiu*  rooms,  where  we  had  ex- 
pected to  find  retirement  and  comfort,  the 
sole  consolation  we  could  command,  we  were 


OF    SIBERIA.  167 

amazed  to  observe  a  scene  of  complete  dis- 
arrangement and  disorder. 

Madame  X had  arrived  from  Tobolsk. 

We  had  happened,  during  our  stay  in  that 
city,  to  become  acquainted  with  her ;  and  on 
the  score  of  that  acquaintance,  though  our 
interview  had  scarcely  lasted  a  couple  of 
hoiu's,  she  had  now  paid  us  an  uninvited  visit. 
Our  sui'prise  may  be  conceived,  when,  on 
opening  the  door  of  our  apartments,  we  saw 
a  stranger  in  a  man's  dressing-gown  and 
boots,  with  cropped  hair,  surmounted  by  a 
jockey-cap,  sitting  on  the  sofa,  smoking  a 
pipe.  At  the  same  time,  our  reception-room, 
the  best  we  had,  was  crammed  with  boxes, 
large  and  small,  with  rifles,  yatagans,  smoking- 
pipes,  tobacco-bags,  and  other  specimens  of 
man's  and  woman's  chattels  blended  con- 
fusedly together. 

I  was  astounded  at  this  spectacle,  and  at  a 
loss  to  comprehend  what  could  have  happened. 

Madame  X did  not  let  me  wait  long  for 

an  explanation.  She  informed  me  that  her 
mother  and  several  sisters  resided  at  Berezov, 
and  she  had  come  on  a  visit  to  them ;  that  on 
all  such  occasions  when  she  arrived,  she  in- 


168  REVELATIONS 

variably  used  to  lodge  in  our  apartments ; 
and  that,  but  shortly  before  she  set  out  on 
her  journey,  she  had  sent  word  to  our  land- 
lady, informing  her  of  her  intended  visit. 
But  although  the  rooms  were  occupied  by  us, 
she  added,  there  was  no  reason  why  she 
should  change  her  plan,  being  sure  that  there 
was  room  enough  for  her  and  for  ourselves, 
and  that  it  would  be  even  more  pleasant  for 
both  parties  to  lodge  together. 

I  was  confounded  at  the  boldness,  and  still 
more  at  the  nonchalance  with  which  this  pro- 
position was  made,  and  must  confess  that  I 
quite  lost  my  presence  of  mind.  I  was  un- 
certain whether  I  should  consider  her  as  my 
guest,  or  as  a  fellow-lodger,  not  clearly  com- 
prehending, in  fact,  in  which  light  she 
regarded  herself. 

But  Madame  X ,  who  had  no  idea  of 

any  such  thing,  and  to  whom  all  consideration 
appeared  superfluous,  only  asked:  "Which 
of  the  rooms  are  you  going  to  give  me  ?" 

"  If  I  am  to  judge  by  the  language  in 
which  you  have  addressed  us,"  I  replied, 
"  I  suppose  you  mean  to  be  considered  as 
our  guest ;  and   as  you  have  already  made 


OF    SIBERIA.  ]69 

choice  of  the  room  which  appeared  to  be  the 
most  suitable  to  you,  we,  of  course,  must 
allow  you,  fi-om  the  respect  we  bear  to  the 
laws  of  hospitality,  to  keep  it.  We  place  it, 
then,  at  your  service." 

This  room  being  the  largest  of  the  three, 
all  our  efforts  were  directed  to  keep  it  in  a 
tidy,  and  even  ornamental  condition;  and 
hitherto  it  had  served  us  both  as  a  sitting- 
room  and  a  reception-room.  In  an  apart- 
ment beyond,  which  was  smaller,  and 
approached  by  a  glass  door,  we  slept ;  and  a 
thiixl,  and  still  smaller  room,  was  appro- 
priated as  a  store. 

Mattering   myself    with    the    hope   that 

Madame  X 's  courtesy  would  not  allow 

us  to  remain  long  in  such  a  straitened  dwell- 
ing, and  that  her  stay  would  be  of  but  short 
duration,  I  resolved  to  bear  with  her  patiently 
Meanwhile,  however,  we  were  doomed  to 
part  with  our  greatest  comfort  at  Berezov— 
that  of  being  alone  in  our  domestic  retreat. 
We  had  a  room  less,  and  a  companion  too 

many,  besides  Madame  X 's  pet  goose, 

her  constant  companion,  from  which  she 
could  never  part,  and  which  she  was  in  the 

VOL.    I.  I 


170  REVELATIONS 

habit  of  caressing,  as  others  do  lap-dogs.  It 
is  true,  the  silly  animal  did  not  bark,  but  it 
made  the  house  resound  with  its  incessant 
cackling. 

Madame  X was  a  native  of  Siberia,  a 

genuine  Siberian  breed,  and  distinguishe  d  by 
great  originality.  She  di'essed  in  man's  attire, 
and  fired  the  pistol,  went  hunting,  and  kept 
a  collection  of  arms.  She  treated  all  the  forms 
and  usages  of  society  with  contempt,  spurned 
them  as  shackles  imposed  on  free-will,  fetters 
on  the  mind;  and  considered  herself  superior 
to  the  rest  of  her  sex,  in  so  far  as  she  differed 
from  them  by  the  boldness  of  her  conduct  and 
the  singularity  of  her  dress  and  manners.  She 
particularly  relished  the  society  of  the  exiles, 
and  lived  much  with  them.  These,  well 
knowing  the  peculiarities  of  her  character, 
and  being  amused  with  them,  instead  of 
restraining  her,  as  they  ought,  in  her  hkarre 
tastes  and  vagaries,  admired  her  independence 
of  mind,  her  freedom  from  restraint,  and  her 
strange  habits.  From  self-love  and  female 
vanity,  she  became  as  emancipated  a  woman 
as  could  well  be  imagined,  and  almost 
maddened  her  poor  husband,  who,   in  spite 


OF    SIBEEIA.  171 

of     lier    eccentricities,    loved     her    despe- 
rately. 

On  tlie  score  of  this  very  frame  of  mind, 
Madame  X — • —  imagined  she  was  best  suited 
to  be  a  natui'al  companion  and  friend  of  ours. 
Her  heart  was  not  bad — of  that  we  were 
assured;  and  she  felt  sympathy  with  our 
fate.  But  as  she  had  never  been  a  mother, 
and  had  not  the  least  concej)tion  of  what 
family  tics  are,  she  would  hardly  have 
guessed  whence  most  of  the  sorrows  of  the 
heart  sprang.  Of  all  the  evils  which  in  our 
situation  of  exiles  we  had  to  suffer,  she  con- 
sidered solitude  to  be  the  greatest  and  the 
only  one.  All  ties  which  were  torn  asunder 
could,  in  her  opinion,  be  replaced  by  others ; 
and  she  was  persuaded  that,  if  she  could  onl}^ 
make  us  laugh  or  otherwise  amuse  us,  she 
had  done  all  to  render  our  lives  happy. 

Such  was  her  conviction ;  and  she  took 
credit  for  performing  a  noble  act  of  humanity 
by  becoming  our  constant  companion,  and 
introducing  her  acquaintances  to  us,  uncon- 
scious how  she  was  depriving  us  of  our  dearest 
possession ;  and  instead  of  making  us  thank- 
ful, as  we  otherwise  should  have  been,  for  her 

I  2 


172  REVELATIONS 

good  intentions,  she  caused  us  intolerable 
constraint  and  annoyance.  We  often  won- 
dered how  long  this  state  of  things  would 
last,  and  in  what  manner  we  should  be 
extricated  from  the  meshes  she  had  woven 
around  us.  But  this  was  a  problem  which 
we  could  not  fathom ! 


OF    SIBERIA.  173 


CHAPTEE  XI. 

Inland  navigation— The  Berezovian  dintiict — Population 
— Scantiness  of  cultivation — Manners  and  customs  of 
the  inhabitants — Berezovian  wonK  u — Origin  of  the 
Berezovian  Cossacks — Causes  of  their  degeneration — 
Their  military  services  and  emoluments — Their  mer- 
cantile spirit  and  traffic  with  the  natives. 

Between  Berezov  and  Tofcolsk,  whatever 
direction  the  traveller  may  wish  to  take,  the 
only  highway  is  the  river.  During  the 
summer,  as  I  have  formerly  observed,  com- 
munication is  carried  on  by  vessels,  and  in 
winter,  when  the  river  is  frozen  over,  by 
sledges.  In  fact,  rivers  are  considered  to  be 
the  only  practicable  highroads  in  this  country, 
those  by  land  being  obstructed  by  immense 
forests,  and  intersected  by  numberless  streams, 


174  IIE7ELATI0NS 

torrents  and  ravines,  with  no  bridges,  and  at 
best  but  ill-constructed  ferries,  rendering  a 
journey  extremely  wearisome  and  tedious. 

About  the  middle  of  Jrme,  Madame  Daubel 
arrived  at  Berezov,  and  brought  with  her  a 
Polish  maid-servant,  whom  Count  Morchocki 
had  been  kind  enough  to  procure  for  us. 
Such  servants  can  easily  be  got  at  Tobolsk, 
from  amongst  the  transported  convicts,  but 
it  is  difficult  to  get  a  good  one.  However, 
we  resolved  to  give  our  Franciska  a  fair 
trial ;  though  her  eyes  had  a  very  sly  and 
sharp  expression. 

Berezov  is  the  central  point  of  the  district 
of  that  name,  a  province  so  extensive  that, 
were  it  peopled  in  any  proportion  to  its  size, 
it  might  be  divided  into  several  powerful 
nations.  Some  portions  of  the  frontier  are 
considered  to  be  a  distance  of  three  thousand 
versts  from  Berezov.  The  district  is  bounded 
by  the  government  of  Yenisei  in  the  east, 
that  of  Tobolsk  in  the  south,  by  the  Uralian 
Mountains  and  the  government  of  Wologda 
in  the  west,  and  by  the  Arctic  Ocean  in  the 
north.  In  the  whole  of  this  extensive  terri- 
tory, according  to  the  last  census,  there  are 


OF    SIBERIA.  175 

not  more  than  fifteen  thousand  inhabitants. 
It  is  however,  not  easy  to  vouch  for  the  ac- 
curacy of  the  census;  the  tribes  of  the  Ostiaks 
and  the  Samoiedes  leading  a  nomade  lile, 
and  therefore  baffling  all  attempts  at  regis- 
tration. 

Even  the  country  on  the  banks  of  the 
larger  rivers,  on  wliich  alone  human  settle- 
ments are  found,  presented  to  our  sight  a 
terrific  wilderness.  Throughout  the  district 
there  is  not  the  least  trace  of  cultivation. 
At  Berezov  small  patches  of  ground  are 
planted  with  turnips,  radishes,  and  some 
cabbages  ;  the  latter,  on  account  of  the  ex- 
treme shortness  of  the  summer,  growing  only 
into  leaves,  and  never  attaining  a  heart. 
These  cabbage-leaves  are  choj)ped  small,  as 
are  also  the  leaves  of  turnips  and  radishes, 
and  put  together  into  casks,  where  they  are 
kept  until,  from  fermentation,  they  turn  sour. 
From  this  preparation  a  dish  is  made  called 
barshtch,  which  was  not  at  all  to  my  taste. 

Potatoes  I  thought  might,  if  introduced, 
grow  well  here,  and  be  of  great  use  to  the 
inhabitants;  though,  owing  to  early  frost, 
they  could  never  grow  large.     A  few  have 


176  REVELATIONS 

been  tried,  but  only  to  the  extent  of  from 
ten  to  twenty  potatoes,  and  these  more  as 
objects  of  curiosity  than  for  use.  Any  one 
who  should  attempt  planting  more,  or  possess 
a  whole  bed  of  the  esculent,  would  appear,  in 
the  eyes  of  his  neighbours,  an  extraordinary 
speculator. 

On  the  whole,  indeed,  the  Berezovians,  as 
I  could  observe,  did  not  favour  this  plant. 
Being  accustomed  to  animal  food,  chiefly 
game,  easy  of  digestion  and  easily  obtained, 
no  wonder  that  they  eschew  all  such  simple 
edibles,  particularly  as  their  cultivation  re- 
quires much  care  and  labour,  and  the  fr'uit 
yields,  after  all,  but  little  noui-ishment. 

Madame  X ,  our   fellow  lodger — for 

we  were  still  at  a  loss  whether  to  consider 
her  in  the  character  of  a  guest  or  a  resident — 
seldom  left  us  alone,  though  her  mother, 
brothers,  and  several  married  sisters,  resided 
in  the  town.  However,  she  proved  to  be 
less  troublesome  than  we  had  anticipated 
after  an  intrusion  so  unceremonious.  She 
certainly  talked  a  great  deal  too  much,  but 
she  was  quite  indifferent  as  to  whether  we 
listened,  nor  was  she  offended  when  no  an- 


OF    SIBERIA.  177- 

swer  was  returned  to  her  questions.  Often, 
when  intent  on  our  work,  we  sat  in  profound 
silence,  she  continued  her  chattering,  and 
was  for  hours  the  only  speaker,  and,  I  may 
add,  the  only  auditor.  There  were  moments, 
however,  in  which  she  caught  our  attention — 
for  she  possessed  a  vast  deal  of  mother- wit — 
and  we  heard  from  her  a  number  of  amusing 
anecdotes  of  persons,  whose  characters  she 
often  admirably  described.  It  is  true  that 
we  were,  to  a  great  extent,  losers  by  her  in- 
road on  our  freedom  and  solitude,  than  which, 
in  our  situation,  nothing  could  be  more  pre- 
cious. If  anything  could  compensate  us  for 
this  restraint,  the  accounts  she  gave  of  the 
manners,  characters,  and  opinions  peculiar  to 
the  people  amongst  whom  fate  had  thrown 
us,  certainly  made  up  for  it,  as,  but  for  her, 
we  should  have  required  many  years  to  have 
become,  in  any  degree,  conversant  with  the 
ideas  current  in  such  a  wild  country,  or  to 
have  understood  the  real  condition  of  the 
inhabitants. 

N^evertheless,    Madame     X 's     goose 

ceased  not  to  be  a  great  annoyance  to  me. 
It  was  a  real    plague  in    the    house,      ^o 

I  3 


178  REVELATIONS 

sooner  did  it  awake  ii'om  its  sleep,  which  it 
commonly  did  between  two  and  thi-ee  o'clock 
in  the  morning,  than  it  began  its  disagree- 
able cackling,  rendering  sleep  on  our  part 
impossible.  Nor  could  we  bring  ourselves 
to  the  custom  of  indemnifying  ourselves  for 
this   loss   of  om-   night's   rest,   as  Madame 

X was  wont  to   do,    by   a   nap   after 

diuner. 

Tlu-oughout  Siberia  the  custom  of  the  so- 
called  siesta,  in  the  afternoon,  is  as  universal 
as  sleep  at  night  in  European  countries.  In 
all  houses  the  window-shutters  are  closed, 
and  the  people  go  regularly  to  bed  for  several 
houi'S.  Diu'ing  this  interval  no  visits  are 
made,  nor  any  business  transacted. 

At  Tobolsk,  at  these  siesta  hours,  the  shops 
are  shut  throughout  the  town.  Business  and 
amusements  are,  as  a  consequence,  protracted 
far  into  the  night.  Playing  at  cards  is  a 
favomite  amusement,  and  commonly  all 
leisiu'e  hours  in  Siberia  are  sj)ent  in  gambling. 

I  had  to  thank  Madame  X for  a  few 

acquaintances.  In  my  round  calls  with  her 
I  found  more  beauties  among  the  women  than 
I  anticipated ;  and  what  sui'prised  me  most 


OP    SIBERIA.  179 

was,  that  among  them  were  many  brunettes, 
with  jet-black  eyes.  Fair  hair  and  light  blue 
eyes  are  admitted  to  be  the  exceptional  type 
of  the  Eussian  race  ;  and  I  am  thus  led  to 
conclude  that  the  dark  complexion,  both  in 
men  and  women,  denotes  descent  from  the 
Cossacks  of  the  Black  Sea,  who  accomj)anying 
Yermak,  their  chief,  on  his  excursion  into 
Siberia,  settled  in  the  country,  and  remained 
a  distinct  race. 

My  conjectui-e  seemed  to  tally  with  the 
account  the  Cossacks  gave  of  themselves. 
One  portion  of  them  maintained  that  they 
sprang  from  the  companions  of  Yermak,  who, 
after  his  conquest  of  Siberia,  had  left  them 
there  as  settlers.  They  principally  consisted 
of  volunteers  from  the  Dnieper  and  the  Don, 
and  from  Lithuania ;  some  actuated  by  the 
hope  of  improving  their  condition,  and  others 
by  the  love  of  adventure.  Another  portion 
of  them  asserted  that  they  were  at  a  later 
period  added  as  auxiliaries  to  the  former  by 
the  celebrated  merchants,  Strogonoffs,  from 
their  villages  beyond  the  Ural,  in  order  to 
keep  the  conquered  country  in  .subjection. 
The  latter,  as  to  their  external  appearance, 


180  REVELATIONS 

evidently  bear  more  affinity  to  the  common 
Eussian  type,  and  in  many  characteristics 
much  differ  from  the  others. 

The  generality  of  the  modern  Cossacks  of 
this  place  are  a  degenerate  race,  preserving 
none  of  the  spirit,  courage,  and  boldness  of 
their  valorous  ancestors.  The  constant  peace  and 
security  which  they  enjoy,  has  contributed  to 
extinguish  among  this  people  all  warlike  and 
even  manly  qualities.  Becoming  sluggards, 
they  have  merely  turned  merchants  and 
barterers.  They  languish  after  their  feather 
beds,  and  are  ready  to  sacrifice  everything 
for  comfort.  I  saw  young  men  of  twenty 
years  cry  like  babies,  when  they  happened 
not  to  get  their  tea  at  the  usual  hour. 

The  Cossacks  of  Berezov  are  subject  to 
the  laws  common  to  the  rest  of  the  Cossacks, 
in  the  Eussian  Empire.  Every  male  of  that 
race  is  bound  to  serve  in  the  army,  fr-om  his 
seventeenth  year  to  an  advanced  period  of 
life.  Even  old  age  does  not  exempt  any  one 
from  this  servitude,  unless  his  utter  incapa- 
city is  attested  by  the  proper  military  autho- 
rities. The  military  duty,  however,  is  usually 
not  very  burthensome,  and  rarely  calls  them 


OF   SIBERIA.  181 

far  from  home.  Keeping  sentry  at  a  few 
government  offices  at  Berezov,  and  service  on 
the  general  staff  of  Tobolsk,  which  a  few  are 
obliged  to  perform  annually,  by  rotation,  com- 
prise the  whole  routine.  As  a  compensation, 
they  are  exempt  from  pajmient  of  taxes,  and 
receive  from  the  Government  a  certain  quan- 
tity of  flour  and  barley  for  subsistence. 

Of  this  class  of  Cossacks  some  get  promoted 
to  the  rank  of  officers,  which,  according 
to  the  Eussian  law,  confers  nobility  on  the 
persons  possessing  it,  though  the  distinction 
is  in  no  case  hereditary.  A  colonel's  son, 
therefore,  is  nothing  more  than  a  common 
Cossack,  and  if  ambitious  of  promotion,  he  is 
obliged  to  gain  it  by  his  own  efibrts. 
Formerly  the  Cossacks  were  at  liberty  to 
enter  the  civil  service,  but  they  do  not  now 
possess  this  privilege. 

In  their  character  of  citizens,  the  Cossacks 
of  Berezov  might  in  many  instances  be 
classed  with  the  Jews  of  my  own  country. 
They  are  traffickers,  but  not  producers  ;  their 
occupation  is  merely  trading.  Sometimes 
they  go  fishing,  but  never  engage  in  wood- 
craft or  hunting.     The  usual  articles  of  com- 


182  REVELATIONS 

merce,  as  well  as  all  the  necessaries  of  life, 
with  fish  and  game,  can  only  be  obtained  fi'om 
the  Ostiaks.  The  common  daily  honsehold 
business  is  likewise  done  by  people  hii-ed 
from  amidst  that  tribe. 

The  great  fishing  season  commences  in  the 
month  of  June,  and  lasts  till  the  latter  end  of 
August,  thus  occupying  the  whole  of  the 
summer.  A  number  of  vessels  sail  from 
Berezov,  for  the  fisheries  on  the  Oby  seas, 
taking  away  the  whole  of  the  well-to-do 
population,  and  most  of  the  poorer  class.  But 
even  on  their  arrival  at  the  fisheries,  the 
Berezovians  pass  their  time,  not  so  much  in 
fishing,  but  in  the  pursuit  of  traffic,  according 
to  their  usual  custom.  Though  their  vessels 
are  provided  with  nets  and  all  the  fishing 
appurtenances,  they  are  for  the  most  part, 
manned  by  Ostiaks,  and  the  fish  they  catch 
compose  the  least  part  of  their  cargoes  ;  most 
of  it,  in  fact,  is  obtained  from  the  Ostiak  and 
Samoiede  fishermen.  These  nomade  tribes, 
knowing  the  season  at  which  the  Eussian 
fishing  vessels  arrive  on  the  coast,  come  in 
their  barges  from  all  quarters,  and  barter 
their  fish  with  the  Russians  for  other  commo- 
dities. 


OF    SIBERIA.  183 

The  Ostiaks  are  as  yet  unacquainted  with 
the  use  of  money.  Skins  of  animals  and  fur 
are  the  customary  circulating  media,  and  all 
agreements  in  bargains  and  trade  are  referred 
to  that  standard.  A  white  squirrel  skin 
fhielkaj  represents  the  value  of  twenty 
assignat  kopeks ;  an  ermine,  forty  kopeks ;  a 
skin  called  piesak  bialy  (literally,  white  dog), 
three  assignat  rubles ;  and  a  like  rate  extends 
from  the  precious  sables  down  to  the  com- 
monest sorts  of  fur.  In  changing  these 
commodities  for  Eussian  articles,  the  Ostiak 
never  makes  his  agreement  for  such  or  such 
a  sum  of  money,  but  for  so  many  of  the 
above-named  kinds  of  fur,  every  one  of  which 
has  its  fixed  price. 

The  inhabitants  of  Berezov  are,  upon  the 
whole,  extremely  weU.  off,  and  even  might  be 
called  wealthy.  With  regard  to  the  first 
necessaries  of  life,  they  need  only  stretch  out 
their  hand  to  have  them,  Providence  ha^dng 
prepared  for  their  use  a  plentiful  supply  ;  and 
on  every  side  are  forests  full  of  game,  and 
rivers  full  of  fish.  It  is  requii-ed  only  to  cast 
a  net,  or  to  set  a  seine,  to  procure  abundance 
of  food  for  several  days. 


184  REVELATIONS 

The  river  Oby  abounds  in  excellent  fish, 
including  sturgeon,  sterlet,  salmon,  pike, 
nuksuni,  selga,  nelma,  mietusi,  and  a  variety 
of  other  species.  The  fish  nelma  and  sterlet 
are  more  delicate  than  the  sturgeon,  and 
superior  to  it  in  flavour.  The  fish  mietus  is 
caught  as  large  as  a  pound  in  weight,  but 
they  are  inferior  in  delicacy.  The  selga  is  a 
small  fish,  but  rich  and  delicious.  The  pike 
is  least  esteemed,  and  considered  but  poor 
eating.  The  Russians  scarcely  touch  it,  but 
throw  it  as  food  for  dogs,  foxes,  and  their 
Ostiak  servants. 

Various  kinds  of  birds  and  wild  fowl  yield 
also  ample  supplies  of  food.  Those  found  in 
greatest  abundance  are  wild  geese,  wild 
ducks,  woodcocks,  blackcocks,  partridges, 
and  water-fowl.  There  are  also  a  variety  of 
snipes,  but  though  found  in  the  swamps  in 
great  number,  nobody  cares  to  look  for  them, 
as  in  the  opinion  of  the  inhabitants,  they  are 
too  small  to  repay  the  trouble  of  shooting 
them,  nor  are  they  so  easily  reached  as  in 
hunting  larger  game. 

Hares  exist  in  great  numbers,  but  nobody 
hunts  them.     The  Russians  have  a  religious 


OF    SIBERIA.  185 

aversion  to  eating  them,  as  nnclean ;  and 
their  skins  are  so  cheap  that  they  are  con- 
sidered not  worth  transporting  to  Tobolsk, 
the  place  where  they  are  tanned.  The 
Ostiaks,  on  the  other  hand,  reject  no 
sort  of  food,  but  eat  whatever  can  be 
swallowed  and  digested.  In  this  respect 
they  are  not  a  whit  more  fastidious  than 
dogs.  They  eat  foxes,  crows,  bears,  and 
even  their  entrails  ;  all  meat,  fresh  or  tainted, 
and  stinking  fish.  They  eat  their  food  both 
raw  and  boiled,  but  chiefly  in  a  raw  state. 

The  district  of  Berezov  abounds  in  water. 
Apart  from  the  stupendous  river  Oby,  at  a 
distance  of  about  one  verst  fi'om  the  town, 
there  exist  several  other  rivers,  as  the 
"Waygulka,  the  Little  and  the  Great  Osti- 
atska,  the  Kazienna,  the  Horodynka,  and  a 
number  of  minor  streams  not  yet  designated 
by  any  names.  All  these  rivers  fall  into  the 
Soswa,  in  the  vicinity  of  the  town,  with  the 
exception  of  the  Horodpika,  and  each  is 
large  and  deep  enough  to  bear  vessels  of  any 
size. 


186  REVELATIONS 


CHAPTEE  XII. 

My  child — Visits  of  guests — The  Nizegorodtyow  family 
— Parental  authority — Ladies'  dresses  —  Costumes 
peculiar  to  each  class — Evils  arising  from  change  of 
class. 

The  22nd  of  June  is  memorable  to  me  as 
the  birthday  of  my  eldest  daughter,  Paulina. 
The  fii'st  anniversary  of  this  festival  that  I 
passed  at  Berezov,  on  awakening  in  the 
morning  I  fervently  prayed  to  God  for  her ; 
and  whilst  my  thoughts  and  feelings  were 
thus  hovering  over  my  beloved  child,  my 
heart  was  ready  to  bui'st,  and  scalding  tears 
gushed  from  my  eyes.  But  mournful  as  the 
subject  was,  I  could  not  tear  my  soul  away 


OF   SIBERIA.  187 

from  reminiscences  wliich,  though  so  harrow- 
ing, were  so  dear. 

Eecalling  to  my  mind  the  whole  of  my 
daughter's  life,  I  in  vain  tried  to  explain  to 
myself  why  my  Paulina,  brought  up  as  she 
had  been  under  the  eyes  of  affectionate 
parents,  and  amidst  a  circle  of  relatives  whom 
she  tenderly  loved,  had  far  outstript  the 
joyous  age  of  youth,  with  all  its  buoyant 
freedom,  and  its  playful  gaiety,  Avithout  in 
the  least  enjoying  it ;  though  such  incidents 
of  the  past,  even  at  the  most  advanced  age, 
are  wont  to  recur  fondly  to  our  memories, 
ever  shedding  a  glowing  halo  over  our  ex- 
istence. Although  she  had  scarcely  com- 
pleted ten  years,  yet  she  was,  I  might  almost 
say,  mature  both  in  mind  and  heart.  All  her 
thoughts  were  grave,  her  sentiments  fixed 
and  deep,  her  judgment  clear  and  pene- 
trating, so  that  amidst  the  most  perplexing 
circumstances  she  was  never  at  a  loss  to  dis- 
criminate at  the  first  glance  between  truth 
and  falsehood.  Often  have  I  had  occasion  to 
put  her  childish  understanding  to  the  test  by 
consulting  her  on  most  delicate  questions, 
and  of  a  nature  most  intricate  and  difficult. 


188  REVELATIONS 

I  found  her  solve  them  all  with  a  penetration 
and  correctness  I  could  not  but  admire. 
Hardly  emerged  from  childhood,  with  a 
delicate  fr^ame  of  body,  and  placed  amidst 
most  trying  circumstances,  God  constituted 
her  the  sole  guardian,  with  duties  of  a  second 
mother,  to  a  bereaved  family.  My  Paulina, 
I  am  confident,  did  not  shrink  from  or  falter 
in  this  great  calling ;  she  fulfilled  it  at  her 
own  great  cost,  but  without  even  reckoning 
it  a  sacrifice.  I  cannot  but  think  that  God, 
having  so  prematurely  marked  her  with  the 
emblem  of  the  cross,  has  thereby  destined 
my  child  for  that  important  mission  which 
she  had  in  our  present  trials  to  accomplish. 

Full  of  such  reflections,  I  gave  them 
utterance  in  prayer,  exclaiming,  "0,  merciful 
God !  if  Thou  dost  take  into  account  the 
emotions  of  a  mother's  heart ;  if  our 
sufi'erings,  oui'  sorrows,  our  tears,  and  our 
XDrayers  are  beheld  with  commiseration  by 
Thee ;  if  innocence  and  sacrifices  have  a 
claim  on  Thy  protection,  vouchsafe  to  listen 
to  the  mother's  fervent  supplication  for  the 
happiness  of  her  child." 

Being  so  deeply  moved,  I  avoided  all  com- 


OF    SIBERIA.  189 

pany.  At  sucL.  a  moment  the  presence  of 
any  one  would  have  been  most  unwelcome 
— an  unholy  intrusion  upon  me. 

Contrary  to  my  usual  custom,  I  lay  long 
in  bed,  pretending  to  sleep.  At  last,  hearing 
that  our  fellow-lodger  had  dressed  and  gone, 
I  got  up  to  follow  my  daily  occupations. 

I  had  intended  to  spend  the  whole  day 
by  myself,  in  complete  seclusion,  communing 
only  with  my  thoughts  and  feelings.  This 
purpose,  however,  was  completely  frustrated; 
for,  all  my  acquaintances  at  Berezov,  as  if 
they  had  mutually  agreed  upon  an  invasion, 
which  perhaps  was  the  case,  came  in  the 
afternoon  to  visit  me. 

First  of  all  appeared  Madame  Nizegorod- 
tyow,  the  rich  old  dowager,  whose  house  I 
have  already  described.  She  was  the  mother 
of  five  sons  and  five  daughters,  the  latter  of 
whom  were  all  bestowed  in  marriage  on  the 
principal  government  officials  of  the  place. 
This  lady  was  soon  followed  by  her  daughters 
and  sons-in-law,  all  heads  of  different  and 
most  respected  families.  It  was  quite  a 
levee ;  and  I  was  obliged  to  exert  myself  to 
do  the  honours  of  the  house. 


190  REVELATIONS 

Madame  T^izegorodtyow  was  about  fifty ;  an  d 
when  young  she  must  have  been  very  hand- 
some. Even  at  this  time  she  was  very  active, 
and  in  her  conversation  evinced  a  sound,  clear 
j  udgment  in  every  thin  g.  She  was  the  acknow- 
ledged head  of  her  house,  even  in  its  mer- 
cantile transactions,  in  the  management  of 
which  she  was  assisted  by  her  sons.  These 
young  men  were  far  from  being  emancipated 
from  her  control,  though  the  property  their 
father  had  left  was  estimated  at  one  million 
rubles. 

I  always  derived  much  pleasure  from  my 
intercourse  with  this  old  lady,  for  I  found  it 
unencumbered  by  any  conventional  forms, 
and  her  conversation  was  simple  and  sincere, 
and  characterized  by  singular  frankness. 

In  giving  me  one  day  the  story  of  her  life, 
she  said  that  she  was  married  at  fifteen. 
When  brought  to  her  mother-in-law's  house, 
she  was  subjected  to  a  most  severe  noviciate, 
was  obliged  to  obey  her  implicitly,  and  do 
the  work  of  the  humblest  menial.  Imme- 
diately after  her  wedding,  her  mother-in-law 
sent  her,  when  the  cold  was  40 '^  below  the 
freezing-point,  to  the  river,  to  wash  the  linen ; 


OF    SIBERIA.  191 

and  though  at  her  own  mother's  honse  she 
had  never  been  required  to  do  any  work,  and 
was  afraid  that,  in  complying  with  such  a 
demand,  she  might  lose  some  of  her  limbs, 
she  obeyed  without  a  murmur,  and  happily 
sustained  no  injury. 

After  such  perfect  obedience  to  her  mother- 
in-law,  and  after  imdergoing  this  severe 
discipline  during  several  years,  Madame 
JS^izegorodtyow  succeeded  at  last  in  gaining 
the  old  lady's  favom^ ;  and,  from  her  reason- 
ing, I  could  perceive  that  she  was  jGirmly 
convinced  that  a  patriarchal  arbitrary  power 
was  the  only  effectual  means  for  governing  a 
family.  Having  been  trained  in  that  rigid 
way  from  her  childhood,  she  had  learnt  not 
to  abuse  her  power  as  her  mother-in-law  had 
done  ;  but  she  knew  how  to  impress  all  the 
members  of  her  house  with  such  a  respect 
for  her  authority,  that  her  daughters-in-law^, 
though  they  belonged  to  wealthy  families 
and  were  mothers  of  several  chikfren,  used 
to  show  so  much  deference  to  her  will,  that 
on  going  out  on  their  visits  they  would  send 
messages  to  ask  her  what  dress  they  should 
put  on.     But  let  it  be  understood  that,  in 


]  92  EEVELATIOXS 

relating  these  particulars,  I  am  far  from 
■wishing  to  represent  them  to  the  reader  as 
facts  of  great  weight,  but  merely  as  pictures 
of  the  degree  of  civilization  existing  in  this 
locality. 

The  whole  toilette  of  my  lady-visitors,  con- 
sidering this  was  such  an  out-of-the-world 
place,  was  uncommonly  costly.  Their  dresses 
consisted  of  velvet  and  rich  silk  ;  and  all  the 
ornaments  worn  were  precious  stones.  Every 
one  of  the  ladies,  however,  wore  those  pecu- 
liar to  her  respective  class.  The  wives  of 
the  government  employes^  as  belonging  to  the 
class  of  blahorodny,  (nobles,)  wore  caps  on 
their  heads ;  while  those  of  merchants,  though 
the  richest,  had  only  silk  handkerchiefs  for 
their  head-dress.  These  were  of  various 
colours,  and  were  tied  in  a  peculiar  fashion 
on  the  head. 

The  inhabitants  of  Berezov  are  great 
sticklers  for  the  distinctive  marks  of  the 
different  classes;  and  what  surprised  me 
most  was,  that  the  inferior  order.^.  as  they 
are  commonly  termed,  betray  ro  desire,  as 
in  other  parts,  to  infringe  upon  the  privi- 
leged costumes  belonging  to  the  classes  above 


or  SIBERIA.  193 

them.  On  the  contrary,  they  constituted 
themselves  guardians  of  such  distinctions, 
decrying  any  who  attempted  to  transgress 
these  arbitrary  lines  of  demarcation. 

Madame  X set  herself  to  oppose  this 

feeling.  The  daughter  of  a  merchant  and  a 
merchant's  wife,  she  had,  on  the  death  of  her 
husband,  devoted  all  her  energies  to  the 
accomplishment  of  female  emancipation  ;  and 
on  coming  from  Tobolsk  to  her  family  at 
Berezov,  in  order  to  render  her  appearance 
as  striking  as  possible,  she  had  brought  witli 
her  all  sorts  of  caps  and  bonnets.  A  rumour 
of  the  commodities  thus  imported  having  got 
abroad,  the  citizens  were  excited  to  such  a 
degree  at  the  idea  of  any  attempt  at  innova- 
tion, that  they  let  her  know  immediately 
that  should  she  dare  to  appear  in  public, 
dressed  in  her  new  apparel,  she  would  be 
hooted  ;  and  that  even  at  church  the  sanctitv 
of  the  place  should  not  screen  her  from  their 
indignation ;  nor  would  they  scruple  to  tear 
the  odious  gear  from  her  head  and  trample  it 
under  foot.     Having   received   this   timely 

warning,  Madame  X deemed   it   more 

prudent  to  pack  up  her  elegant  caps  aijd 

VOL.  I.  K 


194  EEVELATIONS 

bonnets,  and  without  giving  them  even  one 
day's  airing  at  Berezov,  return  them  to  her 
milliner  at  Tobolsk. 

I  liighly  approved  of  this  strong  attach- 
ment of  the  Berezovians  to  the  station  in 
which  Providence  had  placed  them.  For  my 
part,  I  find  such  attachment  more  consistent 
mth  the  dignity  of  man ;  for  in  striving  to 
^^Ife  exalt  ourselves  higher  and  higher,  we  do  but 

betray  contempt  for  the  rank  we  are  actually 
occupying,  and  acknowledge  the  one  above 
us  to  be  more  respectable.  For,  how  can  it 
be  otherwise  than  that  the  classes  which  are 
thus  deemed  to  be  superior  to  our  own,  should 
despise  ns,  as  their  inferiors,  if  we  ourselves 
hold  our  position  in  such  low  estimation,  and 
daily  aj!|k)st,  by  seeking  to  rise  out  of  our 
own  sphere,  how  much  we  admire  and  envy 
them  ? 

I  entertained  my  guests  as  well  as  I  could, 

and  Madame  X was  very  useful  on  the 

occasion.  Knowing  the  tastes  of  the  com- 
pany, she  arranged  two  tables  for  boston, 
and  distributed  packs  of  cards;  and  om-  guests 
seemed  perfectly  gratified.  Those  who  were 
too  young  or  not  clever  enough  to  play  boston, 


OP   SIBERIA.  195 

amused  themselves  at  the  kiirka  (hen), 
another  game  of  cards,  more  easy  and  simple. 
The  inhabitants  of  Berezov,  both  men  and 
women,  are  passionately  fond  of  cards,  and 
the  custom  is  often  very  convenient ;  more 
especially  when  the  company  have  nothing 
to  talk  about ;  a  game  at  cards  then  well 
supplies  the  place  of  conversation. 


K  2 


196  REVELATIONS 


CHAPTEE  XIII. 

Failing  health — ^A  Siberian  merchant — Attempts  at 
agriculture — Hostility  to  improvement — System  of 
trade — Articles  of  barter — Character  of  the  natives — 
The  culinary  art — Young  bride's  first  dinner  party — 
Female  education — Facility  of  marriage — Landed 
property— Prospects  of  Berezov. 


One  fine  morning  in  June,  Madame  X- 


went  out  shooting,  and  brought  home  a  snipe, 
which  she  said  she  had  herself  killed.  Her 
constant  presence  was  by  this  time  not  so 
trying  as  at  first,  though  still  tiresome  enough. 
Solitude  might  have  proved  a  solace  to  me  in 
the  seclusion  in  which  I  was  placed,  yet  I 
could  not  but  reproach  myself  for  grudging 
our  visitor  a  comer  of  our  chamber.  My 
health  began  to  fail ;  and  as  my  feet  swelled, 


OF    SIBERIA.  197 

I  apprehended  di-opsy,  a  complaint  which  is 
hereditary  in  my  family.  Yet  I  thought 
placidly  of  my  end,  as,  being  far  from  my 
dear  children,  they  would  be  spared  the 
misery  of  witnessing  my  sufferings. 

After  dinner,  Madame  X ,  recruited 

from  the  fatigue  of  her  shooting  excursion, 
proposed  that  we  should  call  on  Madame 
^N'izegorodtyow. 

Accordingly,  we  all  three  went,  and  met 
with  a  most  cordial  welcome.  Various 
refreshments,  including  preserves,  diy  fruit, 
and  cedar-nuts,  were  brought  for  us ;  fol- 
lowed by  coffee  and  tea,  with  delicious  home- 
made cakes,  such  as  could  only  be  had  in  the 
affluent  house  of  the  Nizegorodtyows.  The 
old  dowager's  husband  had  been  a  great 
merchant,  and,  as  far  as  I  could  judge,  a  very 
enterprising  man,  and  a  friend  to  improve- 
ment. He  yearly  made  journeys  to  the 
famous  fairs  at  Irbit  and  Nijni  Kovogorod ; 
and  there  he  had  a  good  opportunity  of 
becoming  acquainted  with  all  the  advan- 
tages of  modern  industry  and  civilization. 
His  object  is  said  to  have  been  to  ameliorate 
the  condition  of  his  native  town,  and  to  effect 


198  REVELATIONS 

such  changes  as  seemed  compatible  Avith  its 
climate.  Possessing  abimdant  means,  and 
what  is  more,  a  strong  will,  he  attempted 
even  to  introduce  agriculture,  and  for  that 
piu-pose  he  procured  the  necessary  imple- 
ments, and  brought,  at  his  own  expense, 
people  conversant  with  the  tillage  of  land  to 
commence  operations.  Up  to  this  time,  a 
field  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Berezov  is 
shown,  cleared  of  forest,  where  he  used  to 
sow  his  crops. 

He  was  not  a  man  to  be  at  all  discouraged 
by  failures,  which  for  the  first  few  years 
were  almost  unavoidable ;  but  during  some 
of  the  hotter  summers  he  was  enabled  to  rear 
crops,  samples  of  which  he  found  it  worth 
while  to  send  to  St.  Petersburg  for  the 
consideration  of  the  government.*     In  the 


*  This  attempt  to  introduce  agriculture  at  Berezov, 
64'*  northern  latitude,  says  a  great  deal  for  the  enter- 
prising spirit  of  the  Berezovian  merchant,  although  it 
completely  failed.  Owing  to  excessive  cold,  agriculture 
in  Western  Siberia  ceases  at  60°  latitude;  the  cold 
region  embracing  the  territories  between  67°  and  57°. 
Within  this  circle,  various  shrubs,  bear  berries,  and 
garden  vegetables  are  cultivated  with  success  in  the 


OP   SIBERIA.  199 

course  of  his  useful  enterprises,  however,  he 
experienced  the  greatest  impediments  from 
the  inhabitants  themselves,  whom  he  found 
opposed  to  what  they  styled  innovations  ;  so 
much  so,  that  they  deliberately  destroyed  his 
crops,  and  when,  to  prevent  his  field  from 
being  ruined,  the  worthy  merchant  caused  it 
to  be  enclosed  with  a  strong  wooden  fence, 
he  had  the  mortification  to  see  the  fence 
reduced  to  ashes  by  the  hand  of  an  incendiary. 
I  was  quite  at  a  loss  how  to  account  for  such 
hostility  to  the  introduction  of  improvement 

more  southern  parts ;  but  corn,  whicli  in  Europe  yields 
a  not  unprofitable  harvest  ia  65°  north  latitude,  cannot 
be  cultivated  with  profit  in  Siberia  farther  north  than 
55°,  and  in  Kamtschatka,  than  51°.  Below  the  latter 
degree,  that  is  in  the  southern  parts  of  Siberia,  where 
the  climate  resembles  that  of  Sweden  and  Northern 
Eussia,  corn  yields  a  good  harvest ;  but  even  that  part 
is  too  thinly  inhabited  to  boast  of  any  progress  in  agri- 
culture as  a  science.  The  intensity  of  cold  is  not, 
however,  by  any  means,  equal  in  the  same  latitudes 
throughout  the  whole  continent,  the  severity  of  the 
climate  increasing  considerably  with  the  extension  of 
the  territories  eastward.  This  is  an  incontestable  fact, 
but  as  yet  the  causes  of  the  phenomenon  have  not  been 
ascertained,  and  it  is  uncertain  whether  it  be  ascribable 
to  a  general  law  or  to  local  circumstances. 


200  REVELATIONS 

from  wliich  the  inliabitants  were  to  derive 
all  the  benefit,  until  our  hostess  informed  me 
that  a  report  got  afloat,  from  the  unaccount- 
able ignorance  of  some  person,  that  the 
success  of  agricultui-e  would  briQg  ruin  on 
the  people,  and  that  they  would  all  be  turned 
into  agricultural  serfs,  and  forced  to  till  the 
ground. 

To  what  a  degree  agriculture,  by  care  and 
perseverance,  could  be  carried  in  such  a 
locality  as  Berezov,  it  is  difiicult  to  say.  The 
long  illness  and  subsequent  death  of  its  first 
promoter  had  put  an  end  to  the  whole  project. 
Previous  to  his  death,  the  active  and  enlight- 
ened merchant  was  afflicted  with  lunacy. 
His  widow  attributed  this  solely  to  the 
annoyances  he  had  met  with  from  a  portion 
of  the  inhabitants.  However  this  might  be, 
we  saw  abundant  evidence,  wherever  we 
turned  our  eyes,  of  Ni^egorodtyow's  appreci- 
ation of  European  industry  and  advancement. 
In  his  house  especially,  everything  bore 
testimony  to  it,  The  structure  itself  was 
commodious,  displaying  architectm'al  propor- 
tions, and  a  great  degree  of  taste.  All  the 
furniture,  plate,   porcelain,   and  ornaments, 


OF   SIBERIA.  201 

were  European;  and  what  was  still  more 
extraordinary,  there  was  a  chimney-grate  in 
the  house,  though  it  had  been  blocked  up 
after  the  death  of  its  master.  There  were 
also  a  billiard-table,  a  cabinet  containing  an 
organ,  and  a  number  of  pictures,  which  all 
sufficiently  proved  a  love  for  the  elegancies 
as  well  as  the  necessaries  of  life. 

Upon  the  whole,  I  observed  there  was  no 
lack  of  the  world's  goods  at  Berezov,  except 
among  the  Ostiaks,  and  no  appearance  of 
squalid  poverty  in  the  dwellings  of  the  poorer 
class,  as  is  too  frequently  the  case  amongst 
the  lower  orders  elsewhere.  In  the  houses 
even  of  the  poorest,  the  table  is  furnished 
with  good  bread,  fish,  or  meat ;  and  on  the 
days  of  festivals  with  meat,  puddings,  and 
fish.  Their  daily  drink  is  tea,  though  of 
inferior  quality,  and  they  treat  their  guests 
with  sweetmeats.     Their  linen  is  fine  and 

* 

white,  not,  as  in  other  parts  of  Eussia,  striped 
and  coloured.  They  regularly  have  two,  if 
not  more,  new  suits  of  clothes ;  one  of  good 
cloth,  and  one  of  fine  stufi",  lined  with  fur  of 
fox  or  squirrel,  and  with  sable  collars. 

The  principal  source  of  wealth  of  the  Bere- 

K  3 


202  REYELATIONS 

zovians  is  derived  from  traffic  in  fur  and  fish 
with  the  Ostiaks.  Any  active  and  cunning 
speculator,  with  a  capital  of  one  hundred  to 
two  hundred  assignat  rubles  at  the  first  outset, 
is  enabled  in  a  few  years  to  become  a  rich 
merchant,  the  profits  from  the  barter  carried 
on  with  the  Ostiaks  being  enormous. 

The  Ostiaks  being  totally  ignorant  of 
money,  and  still  more  of  the  rate  of  exchange, 
readily  take  in  exchange,  for  their  own 
articles  any  commodities  which  they  want, 
or  which  the  Eussian  merchants  can  supply 
them  with.  The  latter,  however,  are  in  the 
habit  of  fixing  the  value  of  their  own  articles 
at  their  own  price,  before  they  exchange 
them  for  those  brought  by  the  Ostiaks  to 
market.  According  to  the  old  customary 
standard,  a  pud  (forty  pounds  English)  of 
rye-flour  used  to  represent  the  value  of  one 
skin  of  a  white  piesak^^  and  at  that  rate  they 
are  usually  counted  when  exchanged  against 
each  other.  But  one  pud  of  rye-flour  at  the 
market  at  Tobolsk  does  not  cost  more  than 

*  The  piesah  is  a  rein-deer  cub,  under  one  year  old. 
The  skins  are  called  pieshki,  and  are  highly  prized  in 
the  Russian  fur  market. 


OF    SIBERIA.  203 

fifty  assignat  kopeks,  and  frequently  it  can 
be  had  for  half  that  sum.  The  cost  of 
transport  from  Tobolsk  down  to  Berezov  is 
not  more  than  fifteen  assignat  kopeks  per 
pud,  as  a  number  of  vessels  are  yearly  dis- 
patched empty  fi^om  that  town  to  the  fisheries 
on  the  Oby  Sea,  and  their  owners  are  always 
anxious  to  take  on  board  any  cargo,  even  at 
a  most  trifling  rate.  The  whole  expense  for 
a  pud  of  flour  may  thus  be  estimated  at  from 
thirty  to  seventy  assignat  kopeks ;  whereas 
a  skin  of  a  white  piesak,  which  is  bought  for 
that  same  pud  of  flour  from  the  Ostiak,  is 
sold  by  the  trader  to  a  wholesale  merchant 
of  furs  at  Berezov,  at  the  enormous  price  of 
three  silver  rubles.* 

The  wholesale  fru'  merchants,  of  whom 
there  are  only  three  at  Berezov,  are  in  the 
habit  of  going  with  such  furs  to  the  fairs  of 

*  One  hundred  kopeks  (copper  coin)  make  one  silver 
ruble  (about  three  shillings  and  sevenpence  English). 
But  the  skins  being  bought,  from  the  Ostiaks  and  other 
Siberian  tribes,  with  assignat  currency,  in  which  one 
hundred  kopeks  are  equivalent  to  about  tenpence,  or 
a  French  franc,  the  immense  profit  derived  by  the 
Russian  fur  dealers  fi'om  such  a  barter  becomes  too 
obvious  to  need  any  further  comment. 


204 


REVELATIONS 


Irbit  or  Nijni  I»[ovogorod,  and  after  ex- 
changing them  there  against  articles  of 
European  manufacture,  import  the  latter 
into  Siberia  for  sale,  or  more  properly  barter.* 
The  articles  in  request  by  the  Ostiaks  and 
the  Samoiedes,  and  with  which  the  Russian 
ti'aders  supply  them,  are  flour,  knives,  axes, 
iron  nails,  tobacco,  various  coloured  glass 
beads,  small  plates  of  brass,  or  other  shining 

*  Many  other  kinds  of  Siberian  fur  are  exported  to 
the  same  fairs,  viz.,  squirrels,  martin  or  sable,  mink, 
chinchilla,  kolinski,  ermine,  beaver,  wolf  and  bearskins; 
and  foxes,  red,  cross,  silvery,  black,  white,  grey.  Part 
is  disposed  of  for  gentlemen  s  and  ladies'  wear  in  Eussia, 
but  a  great  quantity  is  exported  to  China,  Persia, 
Turkey,  Leipzic,  and  London.  The  trade,  however, 
owing  to  the  knavish  practices  of  the  Russian  traders, 
has  of  late  years  much  fallen  off  in  the  English  market; 
and  the  Eussian  fur  is  so  much  dearer  than  that  which 
can  be  procured  from  the  Hudson  Bay  Company  in 
North  America,  that  Russians  themselves  prefer  to 
buy  fur,  if  they  can,  at  the  London  market.  This 
is  so  much  the  case,  that  the  superb  Russian  pelisse,  of 
the  skin  of  the  Arctic  fox,  shown  at  the  late  Exhibition 
in  London,  which  was  so  fine  and  soft,  that  it  seemed 
more  like  down  than  fur,  and  the  value  of  which  was 
set  at  £3,600,  might  be  had  in  London,  as  one  of  the 
principal  fur  merchants  stated,  for  less  than  half  the 
price,  and  of  quite  as  good  a  quality. 


OF   SIBERIA.  205 

metals  for  ornament,  calicos,  cloth,  or  the 
like  stuffs  in  figui-ed  patterns,  and  of  gaudy- 
colour.  On  these  commodities  the  Eussian 
traders  put  what  prices  they  like.  Wherever 
they  go,  they  are  provided  with  a  quantity 
of  them,  and  they  are,  in  fact,  equivalent  to 
money  elsewhere.  Without  such  supplies, 
there  would  be  an  end  to  all  trade  in  that 
part  of  the  world. 

The  profits  from  this  barter  are  so  great  as 
to  be  incalculable ;  and  they  have  the 
advantage  of  being  certain,  as  there  is  no 
competition. 

In  order  to  secure  success  in  trading  with 
these  nomade  races,  several  things  become 
indispensable ;  namely,  knowledge  of  their 
language,  acquaintance  with  the  usages  and 
manners  of  the  different  tribes,  with  their 
periodical  changes  of  residence,  and,  if 
possible,  a  personal  acquaintance  with  the 
principal  heads  of  their  widely  dispersed 
families.  The  entire  commerce  is  founded 
solely  on  good  faith.  Each  family  of  the 
nomade,  whether  Ostiak  or  Samoiede,  is  in 
the  habit  of  dealing  with  only  one  merchant, 
and  from  him  everything  that  is  wanted,  at 


206  REVELATIONS 

all  times,  is  taken  on  credit  to  tlie  amount  of 
so  many  skins.  The  good  faith  among  these 
wild  races  is  so  great,  and  so  deeply  rooted, 
that  a  debtor  will  for  no  sum  of  money,  how- 
ever great,  sell  to  another  what  he  had  once 
promised  to  his  creditor.  There  may  indeed 
occur  cases  in  which  on  accoimt  of  an  unpro- 
ductive season  in  hunting,  or  the  death  of 
the  debtor,  or  of  his  family,  the  creditor  has 
not  been  paid,  or  the  payment  postponed  to 
the  ensuing  year ;  but  as  long  as  any  mem- 
ber of  the  family  survives,  and  can  take  part 
in  hunting  and  fishing,  the  creditor  may  be 
certain  that  some  period  or  other  his  debt 
will  be  faithfully  discharged. 

Another  cause  of  the  prosperity  of  the 
Berezovians  is  the  simplicity  of  their 
manners ;  and  in  this  respect  they  seem  to 
have  solved  more  wisely  than  ourselves  the 
question  of  social  welfare.  How  often  are 
our  comforts  or  ease,  and  tranquility 
sacrificed  to  vanity,  to  prejudice,  and  to 
fashion  ?  How  many  superfluous  servants 
de  we  pay,  not  for  convenience,  but  merely 
to  keep  our  houses  on  a  grand  scale,  corres- 
ponding to  the  station  we  believe  ourselves 


OF   SIBERIA.  207 

to  occupy  in  society,  or  the  position  in  which 
we  wish  our  neighbours  to  see  us.  Far 
from  ministering  to  our  comforts,  this  multi- 
tude of  menials  is  the  cause  of  the  greatest 
discomfort  and  trouble  to  us.  From  sheer 
idleness,  they  are  disposed  to  all  sorts  of 
mischief ;  and  to  keep  them  in  any  sort  of 
order  and  subordination,  we  are  compelled 
to  augment,  at  a  great  expense,  the  number 
of  overseers  over  them ;  and  these,  again, 
diminish  our  income,  and  frequently  prove  a 
great  source  of  annoyance. 

These,  and  the  like  expenses,  owing  to  a 
much  wiser  appreciation  of  social  comfort, 
are  unknown  at  Berezov.  The  inhabitants 
are  their  own  servants.  No  mistress  of  the 
house,  be  she  ever  so  rich,  or  however  high 
in  rank,  is  ever  ashamed  of  attending  to 
the  kitchen,  and  to  the  management  of  her 
household ;  and  is  content,  if,  according  to 
the  extent  of  her  house,  she  has  one  or  two 
servants  to  aid  her  in  the  performance  of  her 
household  duties.  The  culinary  art  consti- 
tutes the  principal  branch  of  education  among 
the  fair  sex ;  and  far  from  blushing  when 
detected   in   this   employment,    they   pride 


208  EEYELATIONS 

themselves  on  their  proficiency  in  it  as  the 
highest  of  female  accomplishments. 

I  am  far  from  wishing  to  offend  any  of  my 
sex  by  these  remarks.  "We  are  all  ready  to 
concede  precedence  to  acquirements  which 
attract  by  their  agreeableness  :  but  I  beg  to 
be  permitted  to  say  a  few  words  in  defence 
of  those  among  us  who  are  cooks.  There  is 
something  in  good  motives  by  which  the 
meanest  art  may  be  ennobled.  Where  is  the 
thrifty  housewife,  and  where  the  mother, 
who,  in  preparing  dainty  and  wholesome 
dishes  for  the  table,  thinlis  only  of  her  own 
enjoyment  ?  Is  not  the  enjoyment,  on  the 
contrary,  designed  for  her  husband,  for  her 
children,  or  for  the  friends  who  happen  to  be 
partakers  of  it ;  and  to  achieve  such  results 
is  the  most  gratifying  reward  she  can 
receive. 

Looking  therefore  on  a  kitchen  as  a  very 
important  department  of  domestic  life,  the 
Berezovians  have  associated  its  mysteries 
with  the  most  momentous  epoch  of  woman's 
life — her  early  education. 

It  is  a  received  custom  that  every  young 
bride,  on  arriving  at  her  husband's  house^ 


OF   SIBERIA.  209 

must  invite  guests  to  a  dinner  prepared  by 
her  own  hands,  and  this  repast  is  considered 
a  test  of  the  education  she  has  received  at  her 
parents'  house.  Shame  and  disgrace  are  the 
consequence,  should  she  be  found  deficient 
on  such  an  occasion  ;  and  shame  also  to  the 
parents  who  did  not  attend  to  that  essential 
branch  of  her  education.  Whereas,  her 
success  in  gratifying  her  guests  is  taken  as  a 
proof,  not  only  of  the  young  woman's  own 
excellence,  but  also  as  no  small  recommenda- 
tion of  her  whole  family,  among  whom  she 
must  have  had  so  good  an  example  and 
received  such  excellent  instruction. 

Livery  servants  richly  clad,  and  carriages 
or  grooms,  are  not  known  at  Berezov.  Their 
absence,  far  from  being  a  drawback  on  the 
pleasures  of  life,  contributes  to  enhance  them, 
and  by  not  impoverishing  families,  enables 
them  to  live  in  affluence  and  ease. 

How  many  families  may  be  found  in  our 
own  country,  which,  had  they  but  the  courage 
to  curtail  their  unnecessary  expenditure — 
which,  while  keeping  up  a  specious  state  of 
splendom-,  proves  ruinous  to  their  fortunes, 
without  in  the  least  ministering  to  comfort — 


210  REVELATIONS 

would  soon  discover  a  new  source  of  gratifi- 
cation of  which  they  can  now  form  no  idea  ? 
Looking  at  the  subject  through  the  glasses 
of  prejudice  and  habitual  conventionalities, 
our  sex  would  at  first,  indeed,  be  but  little 
satisfied  at  the  prospect  of  such  an  order  of 
things.  They  would  consider  themselves  de- 
graded by  performing  any  household  services 
while  in  reality  they  would  be  gainers  by  the 
change.  All  we  need  is  to  get  from  our 
early  childhood  accustomed  to  domestic  occu- 
pations, and  at  the  same  time  have  our 
fancies  freed  from  the  impression  that  such 
drudgeries  were  beneath  us ;  there  is  no 
doubt  that  the  duties  which  now  appear  so 
irksome,  and  even  repulsive,  would  then 
prove  quite  the  reverse,  becoming,  as 
they  ultimately  would,  the  source  of  a  more 
lively  interest  to  ourselves,  than  all  the  han- 
kering after  artificial  amusements,  of  which 
the  programme  of  a  young  lady's  early  edu- 
cation is  chiefly  made  up. 

But  this  laudable  custom  produces  another 
most  salutary  effect  on  the  whole  coiu'se  of  a 
woman's  life.  Men,  in  these  parts  are  not 
averse  to    matrimony,    and    women    being 


OF    SIBERIA.  211 

generally  esteemed,  are  mucli  sought  in  mar- 
riage ;  as  men  are  convinced  by  taking  a  wife 
she  will  render  herself  really  nseful,  and 
that  the  management  of  the  house  and  all 
domestic  comforts  will  be  cared  for  by  her. 
The  service  of  a  hireling,  such  as  would 
render  a  bachelor's  life  less  irksome,  can 
not  at  all  be  obtained  here  ;  and  the  conse- 
quence is,  that  though  daughters  even  of  the 
richest  parents  do  not  bring  their  husbands 
any  fortunes  unless  there  is  no  male  issue, 
an  old  maid  is  quite  a  rarity ;  at  least  I  never 
met  one,  with  the  exception  of  the  infirm  and 
the  deformed.  With  the  Berezovians,  females 
are  invaluable,  and  it  is  they  who  make 
their  choice  of  a  husband,  instead,  as  with  us, 
of  the  husband  choosing  the  wife. 

I  have  seen  instances  of  poor  girls, 
daughters  of  parents  of  the  humblest 
class,  refusing  government  functionaries  of 
the  higher  class,  when  the  man  was  found  to 
be  stained  by  vices ;  and  this  was  considered 
so  natural  that  nobody  wondered  at  it.  With 
us,  on  the  contrary,  no  sooner  is  a  position 
in  society  offered,  than  a  young,  beautiful, 
and  lovely  female  is  thrust  into  the  arms  of 


212  EEVELATIONS 

a  reprobate,  be  he  ever  so  cormpt  and  bru- 
talized ;  and  very  often  by  a  compact  secretly 
formed  between  the  parents  themselves, 
under  the  plausible,  but  wicked  plea,  that 
they  are  promoting  her  happiness. 

Apart  from  this,  there  is  still  another  cir- 
cumstance materially  contributing  to  the 
well-being  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  part  of 
the  world,  namely,  that  they  are  not  desirous 
of  acquii'ing  any  landed  property ;  there 
being,  in  fact,  no  opportunity  for  the  acqui- 
sition of  such  possession.  In  our  country, 
on  the  contrary,  every  active  and  thrifty 
man,  as  soon  as  he  has  succeeded  by  his  in- 
dustry and  good  management  in  acquiring 
some  capital,  regularly  lays  it  out  in  the 
purchase  of  land,  to  insm^e,  as  the  phrase 
goes,  a  competence  for  his  children,  which 
means  a  livelihood  without  the  necessity  of 
labour.  By  that  plan,  the  worthy  man  is  in 
the  first  instance  losing  at  least  one  half  of 
his  life  amid  toil  and  anxieties  before  he  is 
enabled  to  acquire  such  a  property,  while  he 
commonly  loses  the  other  half  in  improving 
it;  and  thus  dies  without  having  derived 
any  advantage  for  himself;  and  what  is  worse, 


OF   SIBERIA.  213 

leaves  his  successors  the  means  of  living  in 
idleness.  Nothing  of  the  kind  is  done  in 
this  locality,  where  the  earth  is  considered 
the  common  property  of  all :  and  every  one 
possessing  some  amount  of  capital  turns  it 
as  often  as  he  can  in  trade,  at  the  same  time 
enjoying  all  the  advantages  and  comforts 
which  his  accumulating  income  can  procure. 
Even  avarice,  a  vice  innate  in  some  nations, 
has  here  less  scope  than  in  other  places. 
Commerce,  as  I  have  stated,  is  indeed  fol- 
lowed by  all ;  but  the  amount  of  capital 
requisite  is  necessarily  apportioned  to  the 
exceedingly  small  population.  The  only 
sources  of  wealth  vouchsafed  by  Providence 
to  the  inhabitants,  are  fish  and  the  skins  of 
animals,  and  these  articles  are  yearly  dis- 
posed of  at  the  fairs  of  Irbit  or  of  Makariev ; 
but  whatever  amount  of  money  merchants 
may  realise  for  them,  they  cannot  import 
more  European  manufactures  than  is  abso- 
lutely required  for  the  consumption  of  the 
population.  Consequently,  the  surplus  of 
their  capital  cannot  be  employed  for  anything 
else  than  the  comforts  of  life ;  or,  if  anything 
be  spared,  it  is  laid  out  in  the  pui'chase  of 


214  REVELATIONS 

costly  furnitiu'e,  and  expensive  dresses  or 
ornaments.  All  the  comforts  the  inhabitants 
of  Berezov  enjoy,  all  their  well-being,  and 
even  a  degree  of  luxury  and  splendour  which 
I  saw  in  their  houses,  were  solely  owing  to 
their  exertions  in  commerce.  Finally,  I 
may  add  that  the  very  facility  with  which 
competence  can  be  obtained  by  industry, 
relieves  the  parents  from  any  anxieties  about 
the  future  lot  of  their  childi'en.  Daughters, 
though  without  rich  dowries,  are  sure  of 
being  married,  and  their  husbands  secui'e 
them  subsistence;  while  sons  need  only 
moderately  exert  themselves  to  obtain 
affluence. 

As  for  the  education  of  children,  which  in 
general  entails  so  much  expense  in  other 
countries,  and  which,  even  when  finished, 
fails  to  answer  any  purpose,  and  in  most 
cases  continues  to  lie  a  dead  capital  without 
being  available  in  practical  life,  it  does  not 
in  the  least  trouble  parents  at  Berezov.  They 
can  scarcely  conceive  what  use  there  can  be 
in  filling  the  heads  of  chilchen  with  so  much 
learning,  which  they  cannot  turn  to  any 
account,  and  most  of  which  they  soon  forget. 


OF   SrBERIA.  215 

They  send  theii'  cliildren  to  school,  merely 
that  they  may  leani  to  read  and  write,  and 
so  be  competent  to  keep  accounts  with  the 
Ostiaks.  In  acquiring  this  instraction,  they 
put  their  parents  to  no  expense,  as  it  is  im- 
parted gratuitously  at  theGovemment  School. 
By  some  even  this  degree  of  learning  is 
deemed  superfluous,  as  sums  can  be  cast  up 
just  as  well  mechanically  on  their  shtchohj  ; 
and  many  therefore  exempt  theii*  cliildren 
fi'om  attending  school.  The  rest  of  the  edu- 
cation of  the  boys  is  practical ;  each  accom- 
panying his  father  in  his  business  expeditions, 
and  sharing  his  labour,  as  soon  as  his  age 
enables  him  to  engage  in  trade. 

As  for  girls,  they  learn  fi-om  their  mothers 
housekeeping,  regularity,  cleanliness,  and 
cookery.  If  any  one  should  combine  with 
these  attaimnents,  proficiency  of  reading  and 
of  writing,  it  would  be  considered  a  great 
accomplishment,  though  it  can  be  acquired 
by  all  young  giiis  at  the  cheapest  rate 
imaginable. 

The  inhabitants  of  Berezov  have  not  yet 
any  exact  notion  of  what  is  called  a  fixed 
fee  or  salary,  paj-able  for   personal  services. 


216  REVELATIONS 

If  any  female  is  found  in  the  place  proficient 
enough  in  reading,  and  she  happens  to  be 
disengaged  from  other  occupations  at  home, 
the  mothers  agree  among  each  other  to  send 
their  daughters  to  her  for  instruction.  Stipu- 
lation for  any  remuneration  by  the  teacher 
forms  no  part  of  the  transaction ;  but  the 
mothers  of  the  pupils,  to  evince  their  grati- 
tude to  her,  are  in  the  habit  on  the  days  of 
festivals,  and  on  her  own  name's-day,  of 
sending  her  presents,  which,  however,  would, 
even  in  the  course  of  the  year,  hardly  amount 
in  value  to  a  few  rubles.  Eventvially,  how- 
ever, a  permanent  fi-iendship  is  established 
between  all  the  parties  for  mutual  kindnesses 
and  obligations,  by  which  the  instructress  is 
never  a  loser. 

Amidst  such  primitive  maimers,  the  life 
of  the  Berezovians  passes  on  easily  and 
agreeably,  without  any  great  anxieties  for 
the  future,  and  without  heavy  laboiu",  but 
at  the  same  time  not  in  idleness.  And  in 
that  blissful  state  they  probably  will  con- 
tinue, until  the  introduction  of  foreign 
manners  shall  have  awakened  around  them 
imaguiary  wants.     Then,  perhaps,  they  will, 


OF    SIBEEIA.  217 

when   too   late,  sigh   after  what  is  termed 
among  us  the  golden  age  of  the  past. 

At  Berezov  different  classes  are  not  sepa- 
rated from  each  other  by  insurmountable 
barriers.  The  Government  employes  live  on 
a  footing  of  perfect  equality  with  merchants, 
citizens,  and  even  Cossacks.  They  inter- 
marry, and  associate  with  all.  Wealth  alone 
constitutes  some  distinct  sections ;  the  fami- 
lies of  the  rich  natm*ally  preferring  to 
associate  with  those  who  are  rich ;  while  the 
poorer,  on  the  other  hand,  seek  the  society 
of  their  equals  in  condition.  As  regards 
marriages,  no  distinction  of  class  is  observed ; 
and  sons  of  the  richest  parents  take  wives, 
if  it  pleases  them,  from  the  daughters  of  the 
poorest.  The  whole  population  is  in  a  most 
prosperous  condition,  and  in  consequence  the 
town  of  Berezov  is  every  year  increasing  in 
new  buildings.  Improvements  and  domestic 
comforts  are  keeping  pace  with  the  augmenta- 
tion of  wealth  and  means.  Immense  forests 
furnish  abundance  of  materials  for  the 
construction  of  edifices.  In  lime,  mortar, 
and  masons  they  are  deficient,  but  these  are 
supplied  from  Tobolsk. 

VOL.   I.  L 


218  REVELATIONS 


CHAPTEE  XIV. 

St.  Peter's  festival— "Way gulka  pic-Bics— Sudden  cold- 
Traces  of  a  road— Government  magazines — An  Ostiak 
encampment — Description  of  an  Ostiak  yourta— Smell 
peculiar  to  the  Ostiaks— Their  diet— Ostiak  beggars^ 

The  29tli  of  June  was  a  great  festival,  the 
day  of  St.  Peter,  and  the  end  of  a  fast  of 
many  weeks.  For  the  first  time  since  oui- 
arrival,  we  saw  meat  on  our  table.  There  is 
no  slaughter-house  in  the  whole  town ;  but 
prior  to  each  great  festival  some  of  the  richer 
citizens  kill  an  ox  in  their  house,  and 
distribute  the  meat  among  their  fiiends  and 
neighbours.  At  other  festivals  the  latter 
do  the  same,  and  then  the  compliment  is 
returned.  The  festive  fare  of  this  day 
commenced  with  poultry,  pie,  and  a  dish  of 
minced  beef;  such  dishes  being  always 
symbolical  of  a  grand  fete. 


OF    SIBERIA.  219 

The  weather  having  been  cold,  with  heavy 
rain,  and  Josephine  being  indisposed,  I 
stayed  the  whole  day  in  doors.  The  public, 
however,  nothing  daunted  by  the  inclemency 
of  the  weather,  carried  on  their  festivi- 
ties according  to  usual  and  immemorial 
custom. 

On  St.  Peter's  day  it  is  customary  for  the 
Berezovians  to  make  an  excursion  on  the 
banks  of  the  river  Waygulka,  and  there  to 
assemble  on  an  extensive  meadow  in  front 
of  the  government  magazines.  Parties  of 
gaily-attired  men,  women,  and  children, 
press  forward  from  town  in  this  direction, 
and  on  arriving  at  the  spot,  congregate  in 
merry  circles  and  in  different  groups. 
Eatables  and  dainties  are  brought  from  home 
by  tlirifty  housewives,  and  the  exercise  of 
mutual  civilities  and  hospitalities  on  the 
occasion  becomes  universal.  The  poorer 
classes  regale  themselves  with  scantier  fare 
of  cedar  nuts.  The  meadow  is  the  only 
public  promenade  m  the  environs,  and  is 
visited  but  once  in  the  year.  In  general 
the  Berezovians  are  not  fond  of  promenades  ; 
the  musquitos,  as  1  believe,  destroying  all 

L  2 


220  REVELATIONS 

enjoyment.     The   good  people,    too,    prefer 
boating  to  land  excursions. 

The  cold  was  so  piercing  on  this  day,  that  I 
was  obliged  to  put  on  warmer  clothing.  It 
gradually  grew  more  intense,  blowing  from 
the  Frozen  Ocean,  and  continuing  in  this 
quarter  for  several  days.  Musquitos  dis- 
appeared; and  the  earth,  which  had  been 
soaked  with  rain,  again  became  diy.  Still 
I  resolved  to  take  a  walk,  in  order  to  see 
something  of  the  neighbourhood.     Josephine 

and  Madame  X offered  to  accompany 

me,  and  we  sallied  forth.  This  time  no 
musquitos  annoyed  us ;  but  the  atmosphere 
was  full  of  innumerable  small  gnats  and  flies, 
more  venomous  even  than  musquitos.  They 
flew  straight  into  one's  eyes,  ears,  and  mouth, 
and  their  bites  produced  a  painful  swelling. 
Josephine  could  not  bear  them,  and  soon 
returned  home ;  but  T  could  not  prevail  on 
Madame  X to  do  the  same.  She  re- 
mained with  me,  and  was  bent  on  the  walk ; 
and  as  she  enjoyed  no  walk  when  alone,  for 
her  sake  I  was  obliged  to  keep  her  company 
in  the  dirty  and  muddy  streets,  leaping 
from  plank  to   plank,    from  stem   to   stem, 


OF    SIBERIA.  221 

the   wooden    substitutes   here   for   a   pave- 
ment. 

Having  made  the  round  of  the  principal 
streets  and  places,  and  happening  to  pass  by 

the  house  of  Madame   X 's  sister,  my 

companion  stepped  in  and  remained  there, 
leaving  me  at  liberty  to  dispose  of  myself  as 
I  liked.  I  took  the  advantage  of  this  mo- 
ment of  freedom,  and  with  hurried  steps  left 
the  town  and  entered  the  adjacent  forest. 
Here,  after  a  short  walk,  I  found,  to  my  great 
astonishment,  a  narrow  road,  with  traces  of 
wheels,  and  this  was  the  first  road  I  had  seen 
since  I  left  Tobolsk.  The  sight,  insignificant  as 
under  other  circumstances  it  might  have 
seemed,  was  to  me  one  of  the  most  endearing 
ones  that  I  remember.  Wonderftil  is  the  power 
of  associations,  but  only  they  whom  the  force 
of  circumstances  has  thrown  into  a  distant 
and  strange  country,  and  who  remember  the 
impression  they  received  when  seeing  a 
national  costume  or  national  colours,  or  when 
hearing  strains  of  a  song  once  familiar  to 
them  in  their  native  land,  can  form  a  concep- 
tion of  what  I  at  that  moment  felt.  Thoughts 
of  home,  and  all  its  endearments  rushed  upon 


222  REVELATIONS 

my  memory ;  the  past  started  up,  as  in  a  mirror 
before  my  mind,  and  my  heart  clung  fast  to  its 
shadow.  Without  a  moment's  reflection  I 
followed  the  course  of  the  narrow  road  as 
though  clasping  the  hand  of  a  dear  and  long 
unseen  fiiend.  But  alas !  the  illusion  soon 
vanished,  and  the  road  terminated  in  front  of 
the  government  magazines.  Grrievously  dis- 
appointed, I  remained  fixed  on  the  spot,  with 
feelings  like  those  experienced  by  a  child 
running  after  a  bubble  wliicli  bursts  before 
her  eyes. 

I  determined,  nevertheless,  to  continue  my 
walk ;  but  this  time  diverging  from  my  pre- 
vious route,  1  proceeded  along  the  banks  of 
the  river  Waygulka.  Before,  however,  I 
had  proceeded  very  far,  I  came  upon  several 
Ostiak  families,  who  had  recently  arrived  at 
the  place,  and  formed  a  summer  encampment. 
Women  and  children  were  sitting  at  a  large 
blazing  fire,  baking  their  bread  of  rye-flour, 
a  sort  of  kettle-bread,  such  as  is  sometimes 
baked  with  us  in  the   ashes,*      The  men,  I 

*  The  Polisli  term  for  it  is  wychopieniek ,  from  the 
bread  being  baked  quickly,  or  as  it  were  caught  out  of 
the  ashes.      The  bread  so  baked  is  by  no  means  had;  it 


OF    SIBERIA.  223 

found,  had  embarked  on  board  the  merchant 
vessels  at  Berezov,  and  gone  to  fish  in  the 
Oby  gulf.  Their  families  had  settled  but  tem- 
porarily here,  to  be  near  the  town,  whence 
they  could  more  easily  procure  provisions  for 
their  subsistence. 

Small  huts  constructed  of  the  bark  of  the 
birch,  not  unlike  the  booths  of  our  wandering 
gipsies,  but  without  either  doors  or  windows 
are  the  summer  dwellings  of   the  Ostiaks. 
They  are  watched  by  dogs,  their  only  guar- 
dians  and  protectors.     Nor  do  they  need 
even  this  protection,  unless,  perhaps,  to  repel 
the  attack  of  a   bear.      No   article   of  their 
property  would  tempt  anybody  in  the  world. 
Accustomed  as  we  are  to  heaps  of  furniture, 
and 'considering  each  of  the  articles  indispen- 
sable, we  can  hardly  conceive   how  little  is 
here  needed  bv  man.     A  bucket,   made   of 
the  bark  of  the  bii'ch,  for  carrying  water,  a 
basin  formed  of  the  same  rude  material,  a  few 
wooden  spoons,  and  some  skins  of  the  rein- 
deer, are  all  that  is  required  to   supply  the 
wants  of  an  Ostiak  family. 

has  a  peculiar,  and  even  superior  flavour  to  that  obtained 
by  the  usual  baking  process. 


224  REVELATIONS 

I  did  not  tarry  long  on  the  river  side*  I 
was  panting  for  a  more  extended  view  of 
nature  and  longed  for  solitude.  I  turned  to 
the  right,  and  entered  the  forest,  to  examine 
the  trees  and  plants.  They  were  all  different 
from  ours,  insomuch  that  it  seemed  as  though 
I  had  died  in  one  world,  and  was  now  born 
anew  in  another.  Everything  around  me 
was  new  and  changed;  nature,  mankind, 
objects,  usages,  ideas;  all  presented  an  altered 
aspect.  Had  it  not  been  for  the  feelings  still 
burning  deep  in  my  bosom ;  had  it  not  been 
for  the  mirror  of  memory  reflecting  the  past 
with  colours  as  vivid  as  ever ;  what  could 
have  borne  testimony  to  my  existence  ? 

Here  a  question  suggested  itself  to  my 
mind.  Whether  the  faculty,  with  which 
man  is  endowed,  of  preserving  the  memory  of 
past  impressions  in  the  recesses  of  his  soul, 
be  a  benefit  to  him  or  the  contrary  ?  But  as 
soon  as  the  question  arose,  that  very  moment 
I  suppressed  it,  as  something  blasphemous, 
with  which  I  feared  to  taint  my  thoughts. 
The  past,  if  at  all  dead,  becomes,  by  means 
of  our  memorv,  so  riveted  to  the  soul  as  to 
be  one  with  it,  and  is  incapable  of  being  torn 


OF   SIBERIA.  225 

from  it.  God,  in  his  inscrutable  wisdom,  is 
leading  his  creatures  to  ends  known  only  to 
Himself,  and  often  on  such  paths  as  they 
would  of  themselves  shrink  from.  Never- 
theless, the  results  of  this  guidance  prove  in 
the  end  beneficial  to  us.  Weak  and  blind 
as  we  are,  let  us  submit  and  rely  on  Him. 

I  wandered  for  some  time  alone  in  the 
forest ;  but  was  afraid  to  penetrate  too  far 
into  it,  lest  I  should  lose  my  way.  I  came 
within  sight  of  an  Ostiak  yourta,  much  larger 
and  more  extensive  than  any  I  had  seen 
before.  The  door  stood  ajar,  as  though 
inviting  my  notice,  and  I  entered.  The  hut 
was  constructed  of  large  trunks  of  wood, 
half  sunk  in  the  earth  and  without  windows. 
The  roof  was  likewise  covered  with  logs  of 
wood,  heaped  with  earth.  In  the  middle  of 
the  roof  was  an  opening  for  emitting  smoke, 
and  at  the  same  time  serving,  in  conjunction 
witli  the  door,  to  admit  the  light  of  day.  In 
one  of  the  corners  was  a  fire-place,  and  a  fire 
was  continually  kept  up  for  the  double  pur- 
pose of  cooking  and  keeping  off  musquitos. 
Over  the  fire,  which  was  blazing  fiercely, 
hung  an  iron  kettle,  with  fish  boiling  in 

L  3 


226  EEVELATIONS 

water  sprinkled  with  rye-flour,  the  customary- 
dish  of  the  Ostiaks,  and  which  is  called 
hurdiuk.  They  eat  it  without  the  addition 
of  either  salt  or  bread. 

At  the  furthest  side,  by  the  wall,  lay  logs 

of  wood,  cut  equally,  and  arranged  regularly 

in  the  shape  of  sofas  or  benches.     This  rough 

furniture  was  covered  with  rein-deer  skins, 

and  evidently  served  as  seats  and  couches  for 

the  residents.     Near  the  wall  on  the  right 

stood  a  capacious  chest,  protected  all  over 

with  a  covering  of  tin,  and  beside  it,  two 

coffers  of  similar  shapes,  but  smaller  in  size, 

^containing  probably  all  the  wealth   of  the 

master  of  the  house.     With  the  exception  of 

these  articles,    the   domestic   utensils   were 

nearly  the  same  as  those  described  in  the 

yourta  of  the  poorer  Ostiaks.     In  a  comer 

stood  a  bucket  made  of  the  bark  of  the  birch, 

a  wooden  basin,  spoons,    ladles,   and   some 

plates  and  tubs,  likewise  of  wood.     I  found 

in  the  yourta  a  man  and  a  giii  ten  years  old, 

both  in  a  nude  state.     The  man  perceiving  a 

tranger  coming  in,  drew  over  his  shoulders, 

as  quickly  as  he  could,  his  malca;^  but  the 

*  The  malca  is  a  shirt  of  rein- deer  skin,  worn  by  the 
Ostiaks  inside  out. 


OF    SIBERIA.  227 

girl  made  not  the  slightest  attempt  to  arrange 
her  toilet.  I  could  take  but  a  hasty  survey 
of  the  interior  of  the  miserable  hut,  as  the 
intolerable  and  suffocating  stench  made  me 
soon  retreat  into  the  open  air.  The  Ostiaks 
smell  atrociously,  and  this  with  a  smell 
peculiar  to  them.  After  staying  in  a  house 
for  awhile,  the  rank  effluvium  an  Ostiak 
leaves  behind,  despite  airing  and  fumigation, 
is  sure  to  remain  for  a  whole  day.  His  dress 
of  rein-deer  skin,  prepared  by  a  certain  pro- 
cess with  the  fat  of  the  fish,  which  even  in  its 
freshest  state  is  very  unpleasant,  together 
with  his  rancid  food  and  the  constant  smoke 
in  which  he  is  enveloped  day  and  night,  form 
such  a  combination  of  odours  as  is  sufficient 
to  infect  the  whole  atmosphere  around  him. 

The  abominations  which  he  employed  as 
his  food,  surpass  all  description.  N^ot  to 
mention  raw  fish,  which  is  considered  a  great 
dainty  by  all  the  people  of  that  region,  they 
eat  raw  meat,  the  blood  and  the  entrails  of 
any  animal,  whether  alive  or  dead,  and  fish 
in  a  putrid  state.  They  devour  also  foxes, 
crows,  magpies  and  squirrels. 

The    Ostiak   settlers   in   the   vicinity   of 


228  REVELATIONS 

Berezov,  when  pressed  by  hunger,  come  into 
the  town  with  a  lukosnek*  in  their  hand,  or 
with  a  kettle  hanging  on  a  stick  from  their 
shoulders,  and  beg  at  the  houses  of  the 
Russians.  The  women  of  Berezov,  from 
whose  threshold  a  poor  person  is  never 
sent  away  without  relief,  but  by  whom 
the  Ostiaks  are  regarded  as  the  lowest 
order  of  mankind,  give  the  scraps  remaining 
from  yesterday's  meal,  mouldy  bits  of 
bread,  handfiils  of  flour,  entrails  of  animals 
and  all  sorts  of  offal,  with  dish-water  or 
water  in  which  ducks  and  fish  have  been 
washed,  and  all  these  disgusting  things  are 
equally  acceptable  to  the  hungry  Ostiak. 
After  he  has  collected  a  sufficient  budget,  he 
commonly  takes  his  seat  in  the  street,  and 
within  sight  of  the  public  greedily  devours 
the  mess.  I  have  sometimes  happened  to 
pass  rather  close  to  some  of  these  poor 
creatures,  and  the  smell  of  the  feast  has  been 
perfectly  poisonous.  My  only  resource  was  to 
stop  my  nose  with  my  hand,  and  run  away  as 
fast  as  I  could. 

*  The  lukosnek  is  a  kind  of  wicker  hamper,  or  basket, 
made  of  the  bark  of  the  birch. 


OP    SIBERIA.  229 

Here  I  cannot  help  saying,  that  the  Bere- 
zovians  in  general,  of  Eussian  extraction, 
and  even  the  richest  not  excepted,  are  by  no 
means  fastidious  in  reference  to  smell,  as  if 
suffering  under  a  complete  obtuseness  of  the 
olfactory  organ ;  for  however  careful  they  may 
be  in  keeping  their  dwellings,  and  especially 
their  upper  apartments,  airy  and  clean,  they 
do  not  extend  the  same  care  to  their  kitchens. 
They  are  not  particular  in  clearing  the  meal 
of  yesterday  from  the  saucepans  and  other 
cooking  utensils,  but  put  in  fi-esh  meat  on  the 
remains,  and  so  they  go  on  from  day  to  day ; 
and  if  remonstrated  with  on  this  point,  they 
say  only  that  it  is  just  the  same,  and  quite  as 
clean.  Nor  do  they  evince  any  aversion  to 
eating  the  rankest  dishes,  such  as  have 
become  quite  unbearable  by  their  corruption 
and  smell,  and  call  them  only  hvasnoy  (sour). 


230  EEVELATIONS 


CHAPTEE  XV. 

Terrific  storm — Thoughts  of  Home — A  Siberian  Soiree 
— Sumptuous  supper — The  Stirrup  Cup. 

Among  such,  people,  and  in  this  solitary 
place,  I  watched  eagerly  for  some  intelligence 
from  my  loved  and  distant  home,  but  post 
after  post  arrived,  and  brought  me  only  dis- 
appointment. "Was  it  that  no  echo  could  reach 
me  any  more  from  the  world  of  my  soul  ? 
Perhaps  those  whom  I  so  tenderly  loved,  did 
not  even  know  in  what  part  of  the  world  I 
existed.  Perhaps  they  know  not  whither  to 
waft  to  me  their  regrets  and  sighs.  I  let  no 
post  quit  without  writing  to  them,  but  could 
not  be  certain  whether  a  single  word  of  mine 
would  ever  reach  their  hands.     But  to  wait 


OF    SIBERIA.  231 

and  to  hope  were  not  without  a  solace  amid 
the  agony  of  my  longings. 

As  July  opened,  the  air  again  grew  very 
sultry.  And  what  deluges  of  rain  came  down  ! 
Never  in  any  country  have  I  seen  such  tre- 
mendous torrents.  The  rain  poured  down 
like  a  water-spout,  and  without  intermission. 
The  lightning  and  thunder  were  terrific,  and 
the  deep-resounding  explosions  inspired  an 
intense  feeling  of  awe.  But  here  all  is 
extreme  :  extreme  heat  and  extreme  cold ; 
extreme  darkness,  and  exti'emes  of  light ; 
and  so  even  rain  and  thimder  and  lightning. 
While  the  storms  raged,  the  whole  family  of 
oui^  host  assembled  in  our  drawing-room, 
because  in  it  were  the  images  of  their  house- 
hold saints.  Before  these  they  ranged 
lighted  tapers,  and  addressed  the  saints  with 
bows  and  supplications.  Our  host's  daughter, 
a  young  girl  of  fom^teen,  read  the  Gospel ; 
the  aged  father  commmied  in  his  mind,  and 
prayed  in  silence ;  his  wife  from  time  to 
time  looked  through  the  window  to  see 
whether  the  neighbouring  edifices  were  not 
blazing  in  fii'e.  Her  face  was  impressed  with 
solicitude,  not  unmixed  with  apprehension  ; 


232  REVELATIONS 

and  at  every  clap  of  thunder,  the  heads  of 
all  were  bowed  down  to  the  ground.  It  was 
evident  that  they  trembled  for  the  life  wliich 
was  dear  to  them ;  and  as  fearing  to  lose 
what  they  most  prized.  Alas  !  why  did  this 
feeling  not  agitate  me?  At  these  awful 
moments,  I  could  only  feel  that  if  the  sun 
and  the  stars  were  to  be  wrenched  from  their 
places  and  the  whole  wonderful  firmament 
dislocated,  it  would  scarcely  rouse  me  from 
my  apathy  and  torpor.  Could  even  this 
revolution  of  the  whole  of  nature  in  any  way 
affect  me  ?  Did  the  world  in  which  I  still 
existed  belong  to  me  ?  or  had  I  anything  to 
do  with  it  ?  No,  save  the  soothing  hope  of, 
perhaps,  pressing  my  dear  children  once 
more  to  my  breast,  save  that  sole,  fondly- 
cherished  hope,  which  it  pleased  God  in  His 
great  mercy  to  infuse  into  my  heart,  I  had 
nothing  to  live  for. 

Oh  !  could  I  have  been  but  certain  that  my 
soul,  when  emancipated  from  the  bonds  of 
this  body,  woidd  soar  on  its  well-known 
track  to  those  who  are  so  dear ;  could  I  but 
be  sure  that  it  would  share  in  common  with 
them  the  same  emotions,  reveal  itself  by  the 


OF   SIBERIA.  233 

same  aspirations,  ward  off  from  them  all 
dangers,  fortify  them  in  the  struggles  of  life, 
or  comfort  them  in  adversity — the  prospect 
of  death  would  have  been  indeed  welcome  to 
me.  It  would  then  have  proved  but  a 
guiding  star  to  Hope,  now  alone  illumining 
with  her  soft  light  the  dark  path  of  my  cheer- 
less existence.  0  !  Heavenly  Father  !  pardon 
thy  child's  thought,  and  be  it  far  from  any 
intent  of  offending  thy  Divine  Majesty. 

The  thunders  gradually  hushed  ;  lightning 
no  longer  rent  the  heavens  ;  the  black  clouds 
were  swept  away,  although  they  still  hung 
darkly  over  the  lower  part  of  the  horizon ; 
and  distant  thunders,  rolling  deep,  still 
awakened  dread,  but  grew  fainter  and  fainter 
with  every  clap.  Taking  advantage  of  the 
first  moments  after  the  tremendous  rain  had 
ceased,  I  went  out  for  a  walk.  Water  was 
running  from  the  hills  in  torrents  and 
streamed  down  fr'om  the  roofs  of  houses  in 
thick  crystal  ropes ;  while  trees  and  plants 
drooped  their  heads  under  the  big  drops,  as 
if  beneath  a  weight  of  tears.  Leaping  fr-om 
stem  to  stem,  and  fr'om  one  plank  on  to 
another,  I  traversed  the  town  and  some  of 


234  REVELATIONS 

its    envii'ons;     and,     after    gratifying    my 
cmiosity,  returned  home  wet  tkrough. 

We  received  an  invitation  from  the  director 
of  the  police  (Sprawmk),  to  an  evening  party 
at  his  house,  on  the  occasion,  as  we  after- 
wards learned,  of  his  wife's  name's-day.   "We 

had  to  thank  Madame  X ,  who  was  our 

mentor  here,  that  we  did  not  commit  a 
breach  of  etiquette  in  the  matter.  Our  invi- 
tation came  early  in  the  morning,  which  we 
thought  strange ;  but  she  informed  us,  that 
the  fii'st  note  of  invitation  meant  nothing, 
but  was  merely  intended  as  an  announce- 
ment, to  enable  the  guest  to  be  prepared 
for  the  occasion.  Between  six  and  seven 
o'clock  another  messenger  arrived,  called  the 
''  Zazywatz,"  or  reminder ;  and  he  delivered 
us  another  more  formal  invitation.  We  went 
at  ten  o'clock,  and  found  a  numerous  com- 
pany. The  male  portion  amused  themselves 
in  the  first  suite  of  rooms,  by  playing  boston, 
or  partaking  of  refreshments;  the  ladies  sat 
in  the  drawing-room,  richly  attired  in  dresses 
of  most  expensive  stuffs,  decorated  with  gold 
chains,  necklaces,  and  brooches  of  precious 
stones  and  Oriental  pearls.     The  only  dif- 


OF   SIBEEIA. 


235 


ference  observable  was  in  their  head-dresses, 
by  which  the  wives  of  the  functionaries  or 
nobles  (blahorody)  could  be  distinguished 
from  those  of  the  citizens.  The  fii'st  wore 
caps,  the  latter  coloured  silk  kerchiefs,  tied 
in  a  manner  to  make  the  head  appear  in  the 
shape  of  a  melon.  But  even  the  head-gear 
was  beginning,  I  could  observe,  to  lose  its 
original  simplicity,  as  the  ends  of  the  kerchiefs 
tied  on  the  top  of  the  head,  were  trimmed 
with  blond,  and  adjusted  with  pins  of  pre- 
cious stones  by  way  of  supporting  their 
weight;  but  which,  evidently,  were  but 
pretensions  on  the  part  of  some  of  the  young 
women,  to  assimilate  their  head-dresses  as 
near  as  possible  to  those  worn  by  the  ladies 
of  the  noble  class.  The  maidens  occupied 
seats  in  the  most  conspicuous  part  of  the 
drawing-room,  under  the  images  of  the 
Saints.  This  is  considered  a  place  of  honour, 
and  is  never  forgotten  by  the  hostess ;  and 
the  highest  person  in  rank,  or  whom  she 
wishes  to  honom^  most  in  her  house,  is  always 
led  to  it. 

Here  I  was  struck  with  a  custom  which  is 
quite  at  variance  with  our  own  manners.     At 


236  REVELATIONS 

Berezov,  unmarried  women,  even  the  young- 
est girls  have  the  first  honours  paid  them  at 
parties.  To  them  tea,  cakes,  and  sweetmeats 
are  offered  first,  and  then  they  are  first  pre- 
sented to  the  rest  of  the  company,  and  have 
the  highest  seats  assigned  to  them.  It  is 
rather  odd  to  see  a  girl  not  yet  in  her  teens 
taking  precedence  of  elderly  mothers,  and 
quite  confident  it  belongs  to  her  as  a  right. 

Before  a  sofa  stood  a  table  covered  with  all 
sorts  of  confectionary,  preserves,  dried  fruit, 
and  cedar  nuts,  and  every  now  and  then  the 
hostess  went  round  to  present  some  of  these 
to  the  ladies.  Each  of  the  new-comers, 
on  her  entrance  had,  by  way  of  welcome,  a 
plate  of  sweetmeats  presented  to  her  ;  and  it 
was  regularly  fi'om  her  that  the  new  round 
commenced.  Gentlemen  seemed  to  take  no 
delight  in  these  delicacies,  but  made  up  for 
their  abstinence  in  this  respect  by  partaking 
of  the  wine  and  liquors. 

When  we  arrived,  it  appeared  that  nearly 
all  the  guests  were  assembled,  for  the  ser- 
vants commenced  carrying  round  their  coffee, 
and  afterwards  tea.  Coffee  is  not  used  at 
Berezov  except  on  extraordinary  occasions,  and 


OF    SIBERIA.  237 

the  inliabitaiits  scarcely  know  how  to  prepare 
it;  Usually  it  is  boiled  on  the  preceding  day 
and  left  through  the  night  to  clear ;  then  it 
is  poured  into  the  coffee  urn,  and  boiled  again. 
When  handed  round,  the  cups  are  filled  to 
the  very  brim,  and  it  is  customary  to  pour  in 
a  little  raw,  cold  cream,  as  we  are  wont  to  do 
with  tea. 

Though  the  coffee  w^as  but  indifferent,  the 
cakes  were  extremely  good,  and  indeed  the 
Berezovian  women  excel  in  theii'  pastry. 
They  are  celebrated  for  their  sweet  biscuits, 
crumpets,  muffins,  waffie,  almond  cakes,  and 
a  variety  of  French  confectionary.  They 
present  these  dainties,  however,  only  to  ladies ; 
gentlemen  are  excluded  from  partaking  of 
them,  as  well  as  the  other  sweetmeats,  and 
are  restricted  to  the  drinking  part  of  the  en- 
tertainment. 

Tlu-ough  the  manceuvring  of    Madame 

X ,  a  boston  table  was  made  up,  and 

another  portion  of  the  company  sat  down  to 
the  easier  game  of  hen.  They  who  disdained 
to  take  part  in  either  the  one  game  or  the 
other,  amused  themselves  with  cracking 
cedar  nuts. 


238  EEYELATIONS 

The  Berezovian  women  take  no  pleasure 
in  conversation.  The  whole  stock  of  their 
conversational  powers  is  limited  to  a  few 
formal  interrogations  about  the  health  of  the 
members  of  their  families,  on  which  occasion 
every  one  of  the  members  must  be  specified 
by  both  his  Christian  and  sm-name.  With 
these  simple  inquiries  then'  conversation  ter- 
minates. The  answer  is  equally  simple 
and  brief,  namely,  "  Slawa  Bohu,"  (Glory  be 
to  God),  and  thus  the  formality  is  ended. 

At  midnight  we  wished  to  take  leave; 
but  our  amiable  hostess  would  not  hear  of  it. 
She  would  not  let  us  go  before  supper,  and 
gave  orders  that  it  should  be  instantly  served. 
At  about  two  o'clock  the  supper  came,  and 
consisted  of  an  immense  variety  of  dishes, 
amounting,  without  exaggeration,  to  full  a 
hundred.  And  as  every  fete  at  Berezov  offers 
opportunities  for  a  similar  display  of  eatables, 
I  will,  to  gratify  the  curiosity  of  gourmands, 
give  a  description  of  at  least  some  of  them. 

Every  grand  feast  commences  with  a  pirog, 
a  raised  cake,  usually  with  a  French  crust. 
On  the  occasion  of  name's-day  festivals,  this 
figures  on  the  table  as  one  of  the  standing 


OF   SIBERIA.  239 

dishes.  Wo  grand  fete  takes  place  without 
it.  The  whole  supper  is  a  la  foiirchette. 
Everybody  takes  what  he  likes  best,  and 
eats  where  and  with  whom  he  pleases. 

Due  honour'  being  done  to  the  pirog,  the 
first  entry  came  in,  and  the  whole  table  was 
entirely  covered  with  it.  It  would  be  no 
small  task  to  enumerate  the  variety  of  dishes. 
There  were  ducks,  smoked  and  fresh — geese 
fresh  and  pickled,  and  stuffed  with  various 
ingredients,  and  set  round  with  jellies ; 
tongues  of  oxen  and  reindeer,  prepared 
in  a  peculiar  manner ;  heads  and  heels  of  the 
same  animals,  and  coloured  jellies,  ornamen- 
ted on  the  top,  with  a  variety  of  neat,  shining 
embellishments,  and  proudly  reposing  on 
layers  of  lemon  peel,  geranium  leaves,  and 
flowers.  Little  satisfied  with  the  provisions 
which  the  place  could  afi'ord,  the  lady  in 
whose  honour  the  day  was  celebrated,  had 
procured  supplies  from  distant  parts  of  the 
country ;  and  among  these  figm-ed  a  splendid 
ham,  and  a  roast  pig,  cold,  but  both  imported 
from  Tobolsk. 

The  first  entree  having  been  removed,  the 
second  was  served.     This  was  not  so  abun- 


240  BEVELATIONS 

dant  as  the  first,  and  consisted  chiefly  of 
cutlets  and  game,  with  but  one  sweet,  in  which 
the  taste  of  onion  and  palm  predominated. 
As  for  sauces,  this  part  of  the  culinary  art 
might  be  declared  to  be  still  in  its  infancy  at 
Berezov. 

The  third  entree  was  made  up  wholly  of 
roast  meat,  and  it  would  be  difiicult  to  des- 
cribe all  the  dishes,  so  great  was  their  variety. 
Every  kind  of  game  that  the  woods  and 
forest  contained,  was  brought  on  the  table, 
and  it  almost  groaned  beneath  the  heap  of 
geese,  ducks,  woodcocks,  partridges,  and 
various  species  of  snipes.  Amidst  this 
grand  array,  roast  veal  occupied  the  place  of 
honour. 

Subsequently  to  this  course,  rice  pudding 
was  ushered  in,  with  a  white  sauce  poured 
over  it.  This  is  the  only  one  of  our  puddings 
known  to  the  Berezovians,  and  at  no  enter- 
tainment is  it  forgotten. 

These  principal  courses  were  succeeded  by 
sweet  jellies,  clear  and  transparent,  and  orna- 
mentally served  up.  They  would  have  been 
unexceptionally  good,  only  for  the  quantity 
of  wine  and  spices  in  them,  which  rendered 


OF   SIBERIA.  241 

them  rather  too  pungent  for  the  palate.  At 
last  several  sorts  of  cakes  were  brought  in, 
and  with  these  the  fete  ended. 

In  looking  on  such  a  quantity  of  food,  I 
could  not  but  murmur  to  myself,  "  c'est  une 
mer  a  boii^e."  It  seemed  impossible  that  so 
much  could  be  at  once  consumed  by  a  com- 
pany of  forty  or  fifty  persons ;  but  to  my 
great  astonishment,  I  observed  that  the 
dishes,  which  appeared  first  at  the  ladies' 
table,  being  afterwards  handed  to  that  of  the 
gentlemen,  all  returned  empty. 

After  the  last  course,  the  lady  of  the  house 
entered  the  room,  carrying  a  tray,  with  a 
bottle  and  glasses,  such  as  are  used  for 
champagne.  She  went  round  to  every  one 
of  the  guests,  beginning  with  the  ladies,  and 
requested  them  to  drink  a  glass.  This  could 
not,  of  course,  be  declined,  as  it  was  drunk 
to  the  health  of  the  hostess. 

Even  the  ladies  were  obliged,  more  or  less, 
to  drink.  The  liquor  was  a  home-made 
wine,  which  every  lady  at  Berezov  knows 
how  to  prepare.  It  was  of  a  red  colour, 
effervescent,  and  frothy,  very  much  like 
champagne  mousseux.     It  can  be  made  of 

VOL.  I.  '    •  M 


242  REVELATIONS 

raspberries  or  of  currants,  with  the  addition 
of  sugar  and  French  brandy  ;  and  is  sweet 
and  agreeable  to  the  taste.  It  goes  by  the 
name  of  apogare. 

This  was  the  stirrup-cup,  the  watchword 
to  depart.  After  drinking  it,  every  one  ex- 
pressed his  thanks  to  the  hostess  for  her  hos- 
pitality, and  without  a  moment's  delay  left 
the  house. 

On  going  out  all  at  once,  we  formed  quite 
a  crowd  in  the  street,  but  as  we  proceeded,  we 
gradually  diminished  in  number,  the  com- 
pany dispersing  in  different  directions.  All 
accelerated  their  steps  homewards,  and 
though  highly  delighted  at  the  entertain- 
ment, everybody,  including  the  most 
vivacious,  seemed  to  be  thoroughly  wearied, 
and  at  so  late  an  hour  to  long  for  rest. 


/ 


OF    SIBEEIA.  243 


CHAPTEE  XYI. 

Marriage  ceremony — Death  of  Colonel  Krzyanowski — 
News  from  home — Paulina's  letter — Impressions 
dm'ing  a  walk. 

One  morning  we  had  a  plateM  of  hniazniki 
(princelings),  considered  a  great  treat  at  that 
period  of  the  season.  They  are*  a  kind  of 
berry,  peculiar  to  this  place,  and  quite  un- 
known in  our  country.  They  grow  on  a  high, 
hard  stalk,  like  raspberries,  but  nearer  the 
ground.  When  blooming,  their  blossom  is 
of  the  colour  of  a  rose.  Indeed,  they  re- 
semble raspberries  both  in  coloiu"  and  shape, 
only  that  they  are  browner  and  less  suc- 
culent. Their  juice,  though  somewhat  pun- 
gent, is  by  no  means  disagreeable.  They 
have  a  sweet,  pine-apple  scent,  and  make 
most  delicious  preserves.     The  woods  near 

M  2 


244  EEVELATIONS 

Berezov  teem  with  these  berries ;  but  though 
plentiful  they  cannot  be  easily  got,  as  nobody 
is  willing  for  the  sake  of  a  few  kopeks,  to 
expose  himself  to  the  necessity  of  a  fierce 
fight  with  the  musquitos. 

There  is  another  berry,  called  the  moroska^ 
in  shape  not  unlil^e  oiu-  wild  mulberry,  and 
growing,  like  the  kniazniki,  on  a  stalk, 
though  it  is  a  much  higher  one.  This  berry 
is  of  an  orange  colour,  deepening  into  a  red 
on  the  side  exposed  to  the  sun.  It  is  much 
harder  and  less  juicy  than  the  kniazniki  and 
on  that  account  is  less  esteemed. 

A  few  raspberries  may  also  be  found  here ; 
but  being  rather  rare,  the  people  think  them 
not  worth  the  trouble  of  seeking.  They 
attach  more  value  to  the  currants,  though 
they  are  exceedingly  sour,  and  their  kernel 
hard  and  large.  But  in  a  place  like  this, 
where  neither  vegetables  nor  fruit  can  grow, 
every  berry,  be  it  ever  so  poor,  is  made  a 
great  deal  of. 

Hearing  that  a  wedding  was  to  take  place 
in  the  town,  we  were  curious  to  witness  the 
ceremony  ;  and  seizing  time  by  the  forelock, 
went  early  to  church,  to  be  there  before  the 


OF   SIBERIA.  245 

young  bride  arrived.  It  is  customary  here 
to  go  to  church  on  foot,  but  on  the  present 
occasion  the  bride  departed  from  time- 
honoured  fashion,  and  went  in  a  telega — a 
common  Eussian  cart— adorned,  however, 
with  a  rich  carpet,  which  was  spread  over 
it,  yet  the  whole  aspect  of  the  vehicle  pre- 
sented the  appearance  of  a  funeral  bier, 
rather  than  the  car  of  the  God  of  Hymen. 

The  bridegroom,  whom  we  found  waiting 
in  the  chm-ch,  went  to  meet  his  betrothed  at 
the  door,  where  they  repeatedly  kissed  one 
another.  After  this  they  were  both  led  to 
the  altar,  prepared  for  the  occasion  in  the 
middle  of  the  chiu:ch.  Here  the  priest  read, 
and  the  diak  (deacon)  sung  about  the  re- 
ciprocal duties  of  the  married.  There  were 
no  vows,  but  simply  an  exchange  of  offerings 
by  the  bride  and  the  bridegroom.  After 
this,  crowns  were  placed  on  their  heads, 
and,  thus  adorned,  they  were  led  three  times 
round  the  altar.  This  done,  the  ceremony 
terminated  in  the  wedded  couple  again 
saluting  each  other  with  a  kiss. 

On  my  return  fi'om  church,  I  received  the 
moui-nful  news   of   the   demise   of   Colonel 


246  REVELATIONS 

Krzyzanowski,  which  took  place  on  the  1st 
of  July.  I  felt  sore  at  heart ;  but,  upon  re- 
flection, foiuid  my  grief  was  as  inopportune 
as  it  was  useless.  Why  mourn  over  a  man 
who  had  outlived  the  best  part  of  himself? 
What  had  remained  to  him  to  render  life  de- 
sirable ?  Nothing— absolutely  nothing!  Even 
the  memory  of  the  past,  the  sole  treasure  of 
the  unfortunate,  afforded  no  solace  to  him  in 
his  adversity.  Krzyzanowski  had  long  since 
ceased  to  live.  His  bodily  frame,  once 
tenanted  by  so  ardent  a  soul,  had  indeed,  as 
far  as  the  ordinary  law  of  nature  allowed, 
retained  its  vitality,  but  it  did  not  represent 
himself.  Peace  be  to  his  ashes  !  everlasting 
honour  to  his  name  ! 

But  notwithstanding  these  reflections,  I 
could  not  avoid  feeling  mournful ;  grief  hung 
heavily  over  me,  and  would  not  quit  me.  I 
longed  for  repose,  for  solitude,  but  could  not 
obtain  it.  Solitude  fortifies  the  soul  as 
repose  recruits  the  failing  strength  of  the 
body.  In  our  own  country,  when  we  are  in 
grief,  night  at  least  can  take  us  under  its 
protection,  throwing  its  dark  mantle  over  us ; 
but  here,  they  who  suffer  are  bereft  of  this 


OP   SIBERIA.  247 

trusty  friend.  Day,  unceasing  day,  is, 
whether  they  would  weep  or  laugh,  con- 
stantly staring  them  in  the  face.  The  heart 
closes  before  this  impassive  witness,  who, 
devoid  of  all  sympathy,  intrudes  with  his 
bright  gaze  on  the  privacy  alike  of  oui-  tears 
and  oui"  joys.* 

In  the  midst  of  this  grief,  the  post  arrived 
and  brought  me  letters,  amongst  which  I 
instantly  recognized  the  writing  of  my  dear 
Paulina.  What  emotion  did  it  awaken  within 
me  !  a  di^iziness  seized  my  head,  and  several 
minutes  elapsed  ere  I  dared  to  touch  the 

*  These  reflections  of  our  authoress  remind  us  of  a 
malignant  device  of  the  Grand-Duke  Constantine,  the 
elder  brother  of  the  Czar's,  which  he  jiractised  on  some 
of  his  victims  at  "Warsaw,  confined  in  the  dungeons  of 
the  Carmelite  Convent.  In  addition  to  the  ordinaiy 
strong  guard  at  this  prison,  some  of  the  Cossacks  of  his 
body  guard,  -vjith  particularly  bright  eyes  and  savage 
countenances,  were  placed  with  the  prisoners  in  their 
cells,  to  stare  at  them  continually.  One  of  my  friends, 
whose  life  is  preserved,  had  the  misfortune,  while  thus 
confined,  to  have  such  a  companion  sitting  day  and 
night  by  his  side,  looking  at  him  without  intermission, 
and  the  agony  he  endured,  as  he  told  me,  was  inde- 
scribable. So  inventive  is  tyranny  in  the  contrivance 
of  torture  •' — Ed. 


248  REVELATIONS 

long-coveted  letter.  I  had  most  solemnly 
vowed,  that  during  my  absence  from  home, 
I  would  bear  patiently  whatever  might 
happen  to  me,  and  would  not  pray  to  God 
for  anything  for  myself,  but  only  for  the 
health  and  welfare  of  my  dear  children. 
Paulina's  letter,  therefore,  would  contain  for 
me  a  sentence  of  life  or  death. 

How  hesitatingly  I  broke  the  seal !  They 
were  all  living,  thanks  be  to  Thee,  0  God  ! 
But  how  was  it  that  my  heart  did  not  burst 
with  joy  whilst  I  was  reading  the  letter  of  my 
poor  beloved  Paulina  ? — treasuring  up  every 
word  in  which  she  so  forcibly  described  her 
own  sutferings,  the  intensity  of  her  love,  and 
the  sacriiice  which  she  was  ready  to  make  for 
me.  She  wished — she  longed  to  join  me 
here.  Could  I  accept  such  an  offer  ?  or,  ought 
she,  actuated  by  so  noble  a  motive,  to  be 
refused  this  solace  ?  Could  I  push  away  a 
delightful  child,  when,  tossed  about  and 
struggling  amidst  the  stormy  billows  of  life, 
she  extended  her  arms  towards  me,  praying 
for  a  refuge  on  her  mother's  bosom  ? 
Heavenly  Father  1  to  thee  I  look  to  direct  me 
what  to  do  ! 


OF    SIBERIA.  249 

Otlier    letters    arrived     with    Paulina's, 


strongly  dissuading  me  from  complying  with 
her  request,  but  the  words  of  my  child  were 
still  burning  in  my  heart. 

"I  can  hardly  comprehend,"  she  wrote, 
"  all  that  is  going  on  here,  or  what  we  do 
and  what  we  ought  to  do.  A  crowd  of  con- 
flicting interests  and  occurrences,  changes  of 
place,  and  variety  of  opinions  and  counsels, 
have  completely  confused  my  poor  head,  and 
I  can  scarcely  arrange  my  ideas.  0,  my 
dearest  mother,  what  a  heavy  part  has  God 
assigned  me  on  the  earth  !  But  I  will  not 
murmur,  nor  will  I  complain  of  the  grievous 
weight,  which  surpasses  my  comprehension, 
and  is  beyond  my  strength.  It  has  pleased 
God  to  impose  this  bui'den  upon  me,  and  I 
accept  it.  One  wish  only  I  breathe  to  Him, 
and  that  is  my  constant  prayer  that  His 
protecting  hand  may  at  all  times  be  extended 
over  all  our  family,  and  that  I  may  be  one 
day  allowed  to  unite  with  you.  I  call  God 
to  witness,  how  ardently  I  wish  for  the 
happiness  of  all  my  relatives,  and  that  I  am 
ready  to  devote  to  them  all  my  thoughts,  as 
I  am  even  now  doing.     Yet,  to  strengthen 

M    O 


250  REVELATIONS 

my  fortitude,  I  indulge  the  hope  that  I  may 
be  one  day  permitted  to  join  you.  With 
what  inexpressible  delight,  with  what  ecstasy 
do  I  contemplate  this  prospect !  Then,  my 
dearest  mother,  I  shall  on  your  bosom  breathe 
freely,  after  all  my  troubles  and  anxieties. 
But  the  moments  in  which  I  can  dream  of 
this  happiness  are  unfortunately  few ;  other 
thoughts,  and  my  daily  duties,  allow  me  no 
leisure.  And  then  I  am  haunted  by  the 
hon-ible  thought  that  I  may  not  be  able  to 
accomplish  my  project,  but  be  doomed  to  be 
for  ever  deprived  of  you.  Oh,  how  unfortu- 
nate should  I  be,  were  I  bereft  of  that  only 
consolation  on  earth ! 

ii  Write  me,  dearest  mother,  that  it  is  your 
wish  that  I  should  join  you,  and  be  assured 
that  I  am  incapable  of  making  a  bad  use  of 
your  permission.  For  even  if  all  obstacles 
to  my  departui'e  should  be  removed,  and  I 
should  see  that  the  well-being  of  my  dear 
relatives  required  my  presence  here,  I  would 
then,  of  myself,  willingly  renounce  the  under- 
taking ;  but,  for  the  present,  should  the  plan 
be  found  feasible,  your  consent  to  it  is 
indispensable,  both  to  the  peace  of  my  mind 


OF   SIBERIA.  251 

and  oiir  common  action,  by  which  alone  my 
life  is  sustained. 

"  Can  you  imagine,'  mother,  you  who  are 
my  only  felicity,  that  there  exist  people  here, 
who  say  that  I  should  be  committing  the 
greatest  folly  if  I  were  to  go,  and  that  you 
would  yourself  consider  such  a  step  a  piece  of 
madness  ?  Beloved  mother  !  I  am  sure  this 
could  never  be  so.  Such  a  speech  can  pro- 
ceed only  from  people  who  have  no  conception 
of  the  affection  and  love  we  bear  towards 
each,  other.  They  do  not  know  how  much 
you  love  me,  and  I  love  you. 

''  They  say  that  you  will  never  permit  my 
youth  to  be  buried  at  Berezov.  But  you 
must  know,  dearest  mother,  how  feeble  have 
ever  been  the  bonds  that  united  me  with  the 
world  here,  and  how  all  here  are  strangers  to 
me,  and  I  to  them ;  and  so  even  now  I  can 
say  I  live  here  comfortless,  unconsoled,  but 
with  the  hope  that  I  may  be  enabled  soon  to 
depart  hence,  and  exchange  this  part  of  the 
world,  which  is  but  a  desert  to  me,  for  another 
desert,  but  which,  when  with  you,  will  prove 
a  world  to  me.  0,  my  beloved  mother ! 
wherever  destiny  may  cast  us,  if  we  only  are 


252  EEVELATIONS 

together,  there  will  be  a  world — ^there  a  dear 
native  land  to  us. 

"  Do  not,  however,  suppose,  dearest  mother, 
that  in  thinking  of  myself  I  am  immindful  of 
my  duties  towards  others,  or  forgetful  of  your 
own  peace  of  mind  and  tranquillity.  I  am 
not  ignorant  that  it  is  not  I  only  who  am 
bereaved  here.  You  know  how  much  I  feel 
for  the  happiness  of  my  relations ;  and  if  for 
them  a  sacrifice  on  my  part  were  required, 
were  it  even  the  renunciation  of  the  hope  of 
ever  joining  you,  I  should  not  for  a  moment 
hesitate,  but  submit  to  so  imperative  a  call 
upon  me — submit  to  it,  perhaps,  with  a  pang 
as  to  a  great  hardship,  but  yet  always 
willingly,  as  far  as  my  strength  would  per- 
mit. Thi-ee  months  have  elapsed  since  we 
were  informed  of  what  was  to  be  oui-  own 
destination,  and  yet  my  thoughts  continue  so 
confased,  that  I  knew  not  what  account  to 
give  you  of  our  projects,  or  what  arrange- 
ments we  are  to  make  with  the  children." 

After  reading  my  daughter's  letter,  and 
perusing  the  letters  of  my  friends,  my  mind 
was  absorbed  by  the  most  conflicting  emo- 


OF   SIBERIA.  253 

tions.  Thoughts  the  most  opposite,  the  most 
harassing,  tore  my  heart  with  every  breath, 
yet  left  me  quite  perplexed  as  to  what  course 
I  should  take.  On  the  one  side,  when  my 
Paulina's  image  presented  itself  before  me — 
when  I  fancied  my  dear  child,  young  as  she 
was,  struggling  amidst  such  adverse  circum- 
stances, and  opposed  by  a  weight  of  misfor- 
tune far  beyond  her  sti^ength,  then  regardless 
of  the  distance,  and  of  the  almost  insur- 
mountable obstacles  in  her  way,  and  actuated 
solely  by  the  instiacts  of  my  heart,  I  stretched 
out  my  arms  to  press  her  again  and  again  to 
my  bosom ;  I  felt  that  1  could  shield  her 
tender  age  by  my  protection,  and  guard  her 
young  life  from  the  blasts  of  adversity.  But, 
on  the  other  hand,  when  I  considered  the 
immensity  of  distance  she  would  have  to 
travel,  and  reflected  on  a  multitude  of  inci- 
dents that  might  occur  during  so  long  a 
journey,  I  was  frightened  at  the  very  thought, 
and  doubted  whether  my  owti  heart  was  not 
misguiding  me.  I  remembered,  too,  the  rest 
of  my  children,  and  reflected  on  their  help- 
less situation.  In  the  state  of  complete 
bereavement  in  which  they  were  deprived  of 


254  UEVELATiOKS 

their  parents  and  their  patrimonial  estate, 
and  separated  from  their  natural  protectors, 
they  had  but  Paulina  to  depend  upon— her 
heart  and  her  devotedness.  Feeble  and  in- 
sufficient as  that  support  was,  in  such  trying 
circumstances,  it  was  still  all  they  had. 
Could  I,  by  sanctioning  Paulina's  project, 
deprive  them  of  this  ?     No,  no  ! 

None  knew  so  well  as  myself  how  dispro- 
portioned  was  the  energy  of  her  mind  to  the 
constitutional  delicacy  of  her  fi'ame.  Natures 
of  this  kind  are  more  easily  broken  than  bent. 
I  was  afraid  that  my  refusal  to  comply  with 
her  request  might  be  attended  with  fatal 
consequences. 

Pondering  on  arguments  so  conflicting,  I 
began  almost  to  despair.  I  had  not  even 
power  to  hold  up  my  head,  and  it  sunk  help- 
lessly on  the  pillow.  A  stupor  such  as  I  had 
never  before  experienced  quite  overpowered 
me,  and  thus  I  remained  for  several  houi's. 
Gradually,  however,  the  violence  of  my  first 
emotions  made  way  for  impressions  less  pain- 
ful. I  remembered  that  the  Father  of  the 
fatherless  watched  over  my  children;  and 
had  He  not  hitherto  protected  them  with  his 


OF    SIBERIA,  255 

Almighty  hand,  better  than  I  could  do  with 
my  utmost  solicitude  ? 

They  who  have  never  been  in  situations 
similar  to  mine,  will  hardly  understand  the 
degree  of  consolation  I  received  from  reli- 
gious resignation.  I  knelt  down  and  raised 
my  soul  to  God,  and  as  I  prayed  I  grew 
more  calm.  Even  my  letters,  though  con- 
taining some  things  that  harrowed  up  my 
soul,  afforded  me,  in  others,  a  great  measure 
of  comfort. 

I  learnt  that  my  infirm  and  bed-ridden 
mother,  for  a  long  time  the  object  of  my 
greatest  anxiety,  had  recovered  from  her 
lingering  illness,  and  with  the  resignation  of 
a  true  Christian,  outlived  the  storms  which 
had  gathered  with  so  much  fury  over  our 
domestic  hearth  for  the  destruction  of  our 
family.  I  was  informed  that  my  children 
were  not  only  in  the  enjoyment  of  health, 
but  that  the  very  disasters  which  had  bereft 
them  of  parental  protection,  so  necessary  at 
their  age,  and  destroyed  all  their  prospects 
of  the  future,  had  only  resulted  in  bringing 
their  understanding  to  an  early  maturity ; 
insomuch  that  my  heart   throbbed  with   a 


256  HEVELATIONS 

mother's  pride  when  I  read  the  account  of 
their  conduct.  To  God  alone  is  known  what 
will  be  their  destiny  ! 

Towards  evening  I  took  a  walk  with  Jose- 
phine. A  strong  gale  of  wind  had  cleared 
the  atmosphere  of  musquitos,  flies,  and  gnats; 
and,  though  still  suffering  fi'om  violent 
headache,  I  felt  refreshed.  This  was  the 
first  promenade  I  had  had  at  Berezov  without 
being  either  troubled  by  insects  or  inter- 
rupted by  intruders.  Silence,  solitude,  the 
calm  of  the  twilight  hour,  and  the  freshness 
of  the  air  contributed  to  soothe  and  cheer  me. 
The  pleasing  aspect  of  nature,  whose  genial 
influence  I  had  for  some  time  been  prevented 
from  fully  and  freely  enjoying,  tended  in  a 
great  degree  to  revive  in  my  bosom  reliance 
on  God,  and  trust  in  His  infinite  bounty — 
impressing  me  with  a  belief  that  I  was  not 
yet  His  disinherited  child.  The  very  fact 
that  my  children  were  alloAved  to  commu- 
nicate with  me  and  I  with  them,  though  at 
such  a  distance,  and  the  glimpse  of  hope  that 
flashed  through  my  mind — uncertain  and 
faint,  yet  arising  spontaneously — that  God 
might  yet  enable  me  to  press  at  least  one  of 


OF    SIBERIA.  257 

my  children  to  my  bosom,  tlirew  light  on 
the  overcast  horizon,  and  all  the  objects 
aroimd,  houses,  woods,  and  water,  appeared 
gladdened  and  cheerful. 

Loitering  along  the  river  side  we  proceeded 
as  far  as  the  Waygulka.  So  delightful  and 
snug  did  I  find  that  secluded  place,  that  I 
was  quite  sorry  to  leave  it.  Poor  Josephine, 
who  had  received  no  news  from  home,  was, 
however,  too  depressed  to  enjoy  it.  It  is 
commonly  said  that  the  unhappy  are  apt  to 
feel  more  deeply  for  the  sufferings  of  others 
than  those  who  are  in  fortunate  circum- 
stances. I  have  no  wish  to  dispute  the  pro- 
position, but  I  may  observe  that  my  own 
personal  experience  does  not  confii-m  it,  as, 
in  comparison  with  my  own,  the  misfortunes 
of  all  other  people  seem  light  and  insig- 
nificant. 

I  am,  however,  ready  to  admit,  that  to  be 
able  to  enter  fully  into  the  state  of  mind  of 
others,  we  must  ourselves  have  first  passed 
tkrough  many  trials. 

We  lingered  in  our  pleasant  retreat  as  long 
as  the  lateness  of  the  hour  allowed,  but  we 
were  at  last  obliged  to  wend  our  way  home. 


258  REVELATIONS 

We  had  scarcely  crossed  the  threshokl,  when 
we  came  upon  Madame  X ,  who  com- 
menced upbraiding  us  severely  for  not  having 
taken  her  with  us  ;  and  as  if  to  add  to  our 
distraction,  the  whole  house  seemed  in  an 
uproar.  The  landlady  was  scolding  her 
children,  the  children  were  crying,  and  a 
smell  of  stale  meat  at  once  destroyed  all  the 
agreeable  impressions  we  had  derived  from 

our  walk.     I   bade   Madame   X good 

night,   and  hastily  retired,  seeking  on   my 
pillow  quietness  and  seclusion. 
This  night  we  had  the  first  frost. 


OF    SIBERIA. 


259 


CHAPTEE  XYII. 

Early  Autumn— Water  excursion — Sand-banks — High 
tides— Autumnal  aspect  of  Berezov — Solitary  walk 
in  the  forest — Shamanic  worshippers  of  larch-trees — 
Account  of  a  woman  who  lost  her  way  in  the  forest. 

"With  the  opening  of  August,  the  environs 
of  Berezov  assumed  an  autumnal  air.  Frost 
ah^eady  nipped  the  more  delicate  plants,  the 
leaves  of  trees  were  seared  and  yellow,  and 
fell  on  the  ground  with  the  least  breath  of 
wind ;  the  waters  shrunk  in  volume,  and  the 
grass  shrivelled.  In  a  word,  it  was  far  ad- 
vanced in  autumn.  It  is,  perhaps,  as  well, 
that  summer  here  leaves  not  much  to  regret. 

It  was  now  much  colder,  especially  at 
night ;  but  the  air  was  more  bracing.  The 
nights  were  also  longer. 

Autumn  brought  one  welcome  gift — the 


260  REVELATIONS 

goluUca^^  a  berry,  exactly  like  our  own 
blackberry,  the  szernice,-\  only  somewhat 
larger.  It  is  found  in  abundance  in  the 
woods.  We  had  a  dish  of  these  berries  with 
cream,  and  found  their  jflavour  very  pleasant. 

Madame  X arranged  a  water  excur- 
sion on  the  Soswa,  and  being  fond  of  water 
and  boating,  I  gladly  accepted  her  invitation 
to  accompany  the  expedition.  The  lady  of 
the  director  of  the  police  promised  to  be  one 
of  the  party. 

After  oui"  preparations  were  completed,  and 
we  were  on  the  point  of  starting,  we  found 
that,  in  spite  of  all  Madame  X 's  exer- 
tions, no  man  could  be  secured  either  to  steer 
or  to  row  ;  but  not  in  the  least  discoui'aged 
by  this  difficulty— for  she  never  flinched  from 
the  execution  of  a  plan  on  which  she  had 

fixed  her  mind_Madame  X decided  to 

dispense  entirely  with  the  male  sex,  and 
engaged  the  services  of  two  stout  women  as 
substitutes.     I  must  confess  for  myself  that 

*  The  goJuUca  is  derived  from  the  Slavonic,  goluh,  a 
dove,  by  vt^hich  term,  in  popular  language,  everything 
lovely  and  precious  is  designated. 

f  French  mirtelles. 


OF    SIBERIA.  261 

I  should  have  preferred  the  assistance  of  a 
single  man,  even  if  he  had  been  an  Ostiak  ; 
but  I  would  not  tlirow  cold  water  on  the 
party,  and  I  let  things  take  their  course. 

Madame  X 's  servant,  as  the  most  ex- 
perienced amongst  us,  was  placed  at  the  helm, 
while  that  lady  and  myself,  with  another 
woman,  took  the  oars.  The  weather  was 
calm,  and  we  crossed  the  river  in  safety,  and 
disembarked  on  the  opposite  banl-c,  on  a  dry, 
sandy  spot,  covered  with  thin  grass  and 
willows.  On  landing  we  lighted  h  large  fire, 
and  as  we  had  not  forgotten  to  bring  with  us 
a  samovar^  that  indispensable  companion  of 
the  Berezovians  on  every  occasion,  we  took 
it  from  our  boat,  filled  it  with  water,  and 
waited  till  it  ^^as  boiling  on  the  glowing 
embers.  Up  to  that  moment,  everything 
appeared  favourable  ;  but  in  a  few  minutes  a 
swarm  of  musquitos  alighted  like  a  thick  cloud 
on  the  place,  attacking  us  with  the  greatest 
fury.  Having  exhausted  every  means  of 
defence,  I  seated  myself  on  the  ground,  di^ew 
my  feet  under  me,  and  threw  my  handker- 
chief over  my  head ;  but  though  somewhat 
protected,  the  position  was  neither  convenient 


262  REVELATIONS 

nor  pleasant,  and  I  looked  with  impatience 
for  our  pic-nic  to  end.  Tea  having  at  last 
been  prepared,  we  hastily  partook  of  it,  when 
the  things  were  again  packed  up,  and  we  set 
off  homeward. 

Arrived  in  the  middle  of  the  river,  we 
found  ourselves  entirely  freed  from  the  mus- 
quitos,  and  we  began  to  have  a  sense  of 
enjoyment — this  being  in  fact  the  only  spot 
where  we  could  obtain  fresh  aii-  during  the 

sultry   season.     As  usual,   Madame  X 

arbitrarily  assumed  dictatorship  on  the  occa- 
sion, and  prevented  oui'  boat  from  landing 
at  the  customary  place  in  the  bay,  assuring 
us  that  she  knew  another  much  shorter  way, 
and  that  by  rowing  in  that  direction,  we 
should  be  disembarked  close  to  our  ow^l 
house.  I  had  never  much  confidence  in  her, 
as  I  had  fi-equent  experience  of  the  absurdity 
of  her  pretensions  ;  but  there  were  no  means 
of  dissuading  her,  and  we  were  obliged  to 
proceed  in  the  dii^ection  indicated.  Mean- 
while the  water  having  fallen  low,  as  is 
commonly  the  case  in  autumn,  and  we 
not  being  sufficiently  acquainted  with  navi- 
gation, the  boat  stranded  on  a  sand-bank. 


OF    SIBEEIA.  263 

It  was  no  easy  task  to  sret  it  afloat  asrain, 
and  reach  a  deeper  jDart  of  the  stream. 
This,  hoTrever,  was  not  our  last  mischance. 

Madame  X determined  to  have  it  all  her 

own  way,  and  still  persisted  in  carrying  us 
home  by  the  shortest  passage ;  and  we  had 
not  gone  far  when  we  got  on  another  sand- 
bank, and  we  were  this  time  several  hours 
before  we  could  get  clear  of  it.  The  sun, 
indeed,  was  now  sinking  below  the  horizon, 
and  we  could  not  help  murmiu-ing  at  the 
imprudence  of  our  obstinate  guide,  feai'ing 
that  we  should  be  detained  on  the  river  all 

night.     At  length  l[adame  X consented 

to  abdicate  her  authority ;  and  profiting  by 
our  fi-eedomwe  returned  into  the  mid-channel, 
and  pushed  for  the  usual  landing,  which  to 
our  great  delight  we  soon  reached,  and  just 
at  twilight  arrived  home. 

When    safely     seated,     Madame     X 

declared  that  it  was  not  owing  to  her  want 
of  skill,  but  to  a  series  of  extra ordinaiy  acci- 
dents, that  we  encountered  so  many  imex- 
pected  obstacles  diuing  oiu'  expedition.  I 
did  not  say  a  word  ia  reply,  but  let  her 
speak  as  she  chose,    only  makiug  a  silent 


264  REVELATIONS 

resolution  never  to  venture  again  on  any 
water  excursion  with  women,  unless  under 
the  protection  of  men.  My  only  souvenir  of 
the  trip  was  miserably  galled  hands  and  an 
excruciating  pain  in  all  my  limbs,  which 
prevented  my  sleeping  all  the  night. 

The  water  of  the  Soswa  had  considerably 
decreased  at  this  time,  so  that  where  a  few 
days  before  large  vessels  were  freely  plying, 
we  now  saw  either  continuous  dry  land  or 
countless  islands.  The  bed  of  the  river  was 
not  navigable  throughout  on  account  of  the 
shallowness  of  the  water.  The  mid-stream 
alone,  except  in  a  few  deeper  channels,  could 
be  safely  navigated. 

In  the  vicinity  of  Berezov  the  river  rises 
to  such  a  height  during  the  spring,  that 
on  meadow  land  where  grass  is  growing 
during  summer,  large  vessels  of  many  hun- 
dred tons  are  safely  carried  by  the  current  on 
their  distant  voyages.  "What  however  struck 
me  as  most  remarkable  was,  that  the  liighest 
tides  should  prevail  till  the  beginning  of 
August,  and  after  that  period  gradually 
diminish  until  they  reached  the  lowest  water- 
mark in  the  bed  of  the  river.     As  will  readily 


OF    SIBERIA.  265 

"be  conceived,  the  immense  forests,  stretch- 
ing far  and  near,  all  containing  vast  masses 
of  snow,  ponr  into  the  Soswa  and  its  tribu- 
taries a  large  volume  of  water ;  but  snow 
commonly  disappears  before  the  end  of  June. 

On  the  Ural  mountains,  and  more  particu- 
larly on  the  northern  chain,  snow  remains 
indeed  throughout  the  simimer;  but  from 
this  source,  as  it  lies  below  Berezov,  we  can 
scarcely  suppose  that  the  Soswa  derives  any 
supply.  For  my  own  part  I  attribute  the  rise 
of  its  waters  to  so  extraordinary  a  height,  to 
the  circumstance  that  the  earth  in  those  parts 
of  Siberia  never  thaws  to  any  depth,  and 
being  frozen  even  in  summer  is  deprived  of 
the  power  of  absorption,  so  that  the  water 
is  consequently  carried  in  undiminished  volume 
to  the  sea  of  Oby.  Another  reason  for  the  high 
tide  may  be  the  prevalence  of  the  north  wind 
from  the  Arctic  Ocean.  When  this  wind 
prevails  even  in  summer,  vast  tracks  of  land 
near  the  river  become  inundated,  whilst 
masses  of  snow  and  drifting  ice  are  driven 
into  the  mouth  of  the  river,  obstructing  its 
passage  and  so  raising  the  water  above  its 
natural  level. 

VOL.  I.  N 


266  REVELATIONS 

As  the  time  drew  near  for  the  despatch  of 
the  post,  I  devoted  a  day  to  writing  letters. 
Unable  to  help  my  children  in  anything,  I 
resolved  not  to  impose  restraints  on  their 
actions.  To  my  daughter  I  sent  my  consent 
to  do  what  she  thought  best,  convinced  that 
the  obstacles  to  her  project  of  joining  me, 
which,  I  foresaw,  would  arise  from  other  cir- 
cumstances rather  than  my  refusal,  would 
render  her  lot  easier  to  bear.  Cherishing 
the  hope  of  one  day  joining  me  here,  she 
would  be  more  reconciled  to  oui-  present 
separation. 

Having  finished  my  letters,  I  sent  them  to 
the  Horodnitchee  to  be  forwarded  by  the 
post,  and  went  out  myself  for  a  walk.  The 
aspect  of  everything  was  as  dismal  as  can  be 
imagined.  The  ground  was  strewn  with 
autumnal  leaves ;  the  grass  had  turned  yellow 
and  was  perfectly  withered ;  the  river  had 
sunk  into  a  narrow  channel,  leaving  behind 
on  either  side  extensive  banks,  which  but  a 
few  weeks  previously  had  formed  its  bed. 
Such  features  imparted  to  the  environs  of  the 
town  a  most  melancholy  character.  Berezov, 
indeed,  was  now  entirely  disrobed  even  of 


or  SIBERIA.  267 

those  scanty  festive  habiliments  under  which, 
during  the  summer  months,  it  had  partially 
concealed  its  repulsiveness ;  and  I  could  not 
but  liken  it  to  an  ungainly  old  actress,  who, 
after  performing  the  part  of  a  young  and 
beautiful  princess  on  the  stage,  returns  to  her 
dismal  lodgings  in  her  own  attire.  Having 
thrown  off  her  borrowed  tinsel  and  wiped  off 
the  rouge  from  her  shrivelled  cheeks,  she 
sits  tired  to  death  at  the  fire  in  her  garret,  in 
her  ragged  nightgown,  and  broods  over  the 
vanity  of  worldly  distinctions. 

But  even  the  worst  thing  is  not  without 
its  good  side.  The  air,  though  cold,  was 
now  more  pleasant  than  in  the  sultry  summer. 
Musquitos  had  disappeared,  and  we  were 
enabled  to  enjoy  without  inconvenience  our 
out-of-doors  promenade. 

One  day  I  went  alone  to  the  forest.  On 
its  outskirts  I  found  a  few  fine  mushrooms, 
which  encouraged  me  to  search  for  more.  I 
proceeded  farther,  and  at  length,  on  looking 
round  did  not  know  where  I  was.  As  the 
sun  was  not  shining,  I  was  deprived  of  the 
only  beacon,  by  which  I  could  safely  direct 
my  steps.     I  began  to  fear  that  I  should 

N  2 


268  REVELATIONS 

be  lost,  a  casualty  that  not  unfrequently 
happens  to  the  natives,  these  vast  forests 
affording  no  clue  to  an  outlet.  At  first  I 
had  taken  my  direction,  as  it  seemed  to  me, 
towards  the  river — though  even  of  that  I  was 
not  sure — and  as  usual  with  those  who  know 
not  their  way,  the  imagination  representing 
objects  according  to  its  particular  bent, 
increased  my  perplexity.  At  every  step  I 
made,  the  forest  appeared  denser,  wilder,  and 
more  sombre  ;  and  a  deep  monotonous  sound 
of  ^olian  harmony  alone  broke  the  solemn 
silence.  I  would  have  given  worlds,  could  I 
have  seen  anything  animate  or  inanimate, 
that  would  have  indicated  to  me  the  direc- 
tion of  the  town,  but  each  moment  only 
bewildered  me  more.  But  convinced  that  a 
passive  state  of  despondency  would  be  of  no 
avail,  I  continued  advancing  further  and 
further.  Uncertainty  and  consternation  made 
the  time  appear  exceedingly  long,  insomuch 
that  it  seemed  as  though  I  had  been 
wandering  for  many  weary  hours.  At 
length,  emerging  from  the  thicket,  I  saw 
before  me  a  ravine  intersecting  the  forest. 
I  considered  this  a  most  fortunate  discovery. 


OF    SIBERIA.  269 

and  hastened  to  see  whether  some  traces  of 
water  could  not  be  found,  and  if  so,  in  what 
direction  it  proceeded.    In  pursuing  this  track 
I  perceived  at  the  bottom  of  the  defile  a  small 
streamlet,    and    presuming    that   it   would 
sooner  or  later  bring   me   to   the  river,    I 
followed   its   course,   as  my  only  chance  of 
escaping  from  the  forest.     At  first  I  advanced, 
for   some  time  on  the    sloping  side  of  the 
ravine,  but  finding  my  progress  impeded  at 
each  step  by  thickets,  and  trunks  of  large 
trees,  many  of  which,  fallen  from  decay,  kiy 
rotting  on  the   ground,    I   descended  to  its 
lowest  part,  where  I  found  the  passage  less 
encumbered  with  obstacles.     After  a  distance 
of  about  five  hundred  yards,  I  arrived  at  a 
point  where  the  ravine  began  to  widen,  ter- 
minating in  an  open  green  plot  of  ground. 
Screened  on  three  sides  by  lofty  hills,  this 
secluded  spot  yet  preserved  the  verdui*e  of 
summer,  and  contrasted  strangely  with  the 
naked  riven  cliffs  around.     It  was  surrounded 
with  a  number  of  stately   old  larch  trees, 
overshadowing  the  lonely   nook  with   their 
sombre  ever-green  branches.     So  picturesque 
was  this   sequestered  place,    that   I   would 


270  REVELATIONS 

gladly  have  remained  there  awhile  to  rest 
myself,  only  for  my  anxiety  to  get  out  of 
the  dreadful  forest,  and,  therefore,  without 
taiTying  a  minute,  I  hurried  onward. 

In  continuing  my  way  through  the  defile  I 
followed  its  meandering  turns,  and  kept  close 
to  my  best  guide,  the  streamlet ;  constantly 
looking  forward  to  see  whether  I  could  not 
catch  a  glimpse  of  open  ground,  when,  timiing 
a  sharp  angle,  to  my  great  astonishment — I 
cannot  say  satisfaction — I  found  myself  on  a 
sudden  in  the  presence  of  a  number  of 
Ostiaks,  with  their  faces  turned  towards  the 
largest  of  the  larch  trees,  and  with  strange 
gesticulations  addressing  the  ancient  trunk, 
in  a  language  to  me  utterly  unintelligible. 

Knowing  perfectly  well  that  the  Ostiaks, 
according  to  theii'  Shamanic  religion,  wor- 
shipped the  larch  tree  (modrsessie),  I  instantly 
divined  the  reason  why  they  were  assembled 
here ;  but  this,  far  from  reassuring  me,  only 
increased  my  apprehension.  "They  will 
perhaps  mui'der  me,"  was  my  involuntary 
thought,  "that  I  may  not  betray  their 
secret ;  "  for  having  accepted — or  rather  been 
compelled  to  accept. — Christianity;  they  were 


OP   SIBERIA.  271 

performing  the  rites  of  their  idolatrous 
worship  in  secret ;  and  being  wholly  ignorant 
of  their  customs,  I  did  not  know  to  what 
extent  I  might  not  have  offended  them. 

Had  I  seen  any  possibility  of  escaping,  I 
should  certainly  have  seized  it,  but  aware 
that  I  was  already  observed,  and  that  there 
was  no  chance  of  my  getting  past  the  assem- 
blage without  going  close  to  them,  and  still 
less  of  being  able  to  retreat  by  the  ravine, 
which,  besides  being  deep  was  enclosed  by 
high  cliffs,  I  made  a  vii'tue  of  necessity,  and 
assuming  a  mien  of  utter  unconcern,  though 
inwardly  trembling  with  fear,  I  boldly 
advanced  towards  the  throng,  and  passed 
through  the  midst  of  them. 

The  astonishment  of  the  Ostiaks,  which  I 
saw  depicted  on  their  faces,  was  only  equal 
to  my  own,  when  I  found  myself  in  their 
ranks.  Not  a  word  was  addressed  to  me  by 
any  one  of  them ;  and  I  was  not  disposed, 
as  may  be  imagined,  to  break  the  silence. 
I  pm'sued  my  way  unmolested,  and  it  hap- 
pened, just  as  I  had  hoped,  that  the  ravine 
brought  me  to  the  banks  of  the  river  Soswa, 
at  no  great  distance  from  Berezov,     In  these 


*^'^ 


272  REVELATIONS 

parts,  losing  one's  way  is  an  oecuiTence  at- 
tended not  rarely  with  loss  of  life.  I  became 
acquainted  with  the  wife  of  a  Russian 
employe^  whose  mother  one  day  went  out 
with  some  friends  to  seek  berries,  and  wan- 
dering away  from  her  party,  got  entangled 
in  the  forest,  and  notwithstanding  the 
stiictest  search,  not  a  trace  of  her  was  ever 
discovered.  I  know  not  how  it  Avas,  but 
after  my  own  misadventure,  I  could  never 
meet  this  lady  without  conjm-ing  up  a  most 
hoiTible  picture  of  her  mother's  suiferings — 
how  she  must  have  perished  either  by  dying 
a  lingering  death,  or  from  famine  and  ex- 
haustion, or  by  falling  a  prey  to  wild  beasts. 

I  will  here  relate  one  of  the  shocking  ac- 
cidents which  but  a  few  years  ago  happened 
in  this  very  district.  I  give  it  on  the  autho- 
rity of  a  lady  who  acted  a  principal  part  in 
it,  and  herself  related  it  to  me.  The  occur- 
rence took  place  at  Kondisk,  on  the  river  Oby. 

At  the  season  of  gathering  berries,  a  party 
of  young  females  of  that  village  went  to  pick 
them  in  a  neighbouring  forest.  One,  in  her 
search,  unhappily  separated  herself  from  the 
rest  of  the  company,  and  some  time  elapsed 


OF   SIBERIA.  273 

before  they  became  aware  that  she  was  mis- 
sing. They  then  shouted  and  hallooed  as 
loud  as  they  could,  but  all  their  calling  was 
in  vain.  IS'o  answer  was  heard  from  any 
direction. 

Meanwhile,  the  straggler,  perceiving  when 
too  late  that  she  had  wandered  so  far  from 
her  companions,  and  all  her  efforts  to  rejoin 
them  proving  unsuccessful,  thought  to  make 
her  way  home.  Accordingly,  she  took  what 
she  thought  the  right  track,  but  night  came 
on,  and  she  was  still  in  the  forest.  When 
it  grew  quite  dark,  and  she  had  lost  all  hope 
of  retracing  her  way  home,  she  climbed  a 
tree,  to  be  out  of  the  reach  of  wild  animals 
and  snakes,  and  so  passed  the  night. 

The  whole  of  the  following  day  was  spent 
in  seeking  to  emerge  from  the  forest,  but 
with  as  little  success  as  the  preceding,  and 
the  poor  creature  only  penetrated  further 
into  its  depths.  Hunger  and  exhaustion 
came  on,  and  wild  berries  were  the  only 
sustenance  she  could  obtain.  In  vain  she 
called  for  aid ;  the  wilderness,  as  if  in  mock- 
ery, echoed  her  cry  on  every  side,  but  bore 
it  to  no  human  ear.     Her  strength  was  alto- 

N  3 


41 


274  REVELATIONS 

gether  failing,  and  she  considered  herself 
utterly  lost,  while  death,  apparently  inevita- 
ble, presented  itself  to  her  imagination  in  a 
thousand  horrible  shapes.  Now  she  fancied 
hersetf  dying  from  hunger,  as  the  berries  on 
which  she  still  subsisted  would  soon  disap- 
pear, or  from  cold,  or  under  the  claws  of 
some  rapacious  beast. 

Soon  she  lost  her  voice,  and  could  no  longer 
call  for  help,  but  became  with  despair  pros- 
trate alike  in  body  and  mind.  She  sat  for 
whole  days  cooped  up  and  immoveable  on 
the  same  spot,  with  patience  awaiting  her 
end.  Want  of  food,  as  a  mere  craving  of 
instinct,  was  alone  able  to  arouse  her  for  a 
moment  from  her  torpor.  Even  when  thus 
urged  she  unwillingly  di'agged  her  heavy 
limbs  along,  and  having  advanced  a  few 
steps  from  the  spot,  no  sooner  appeased  her 
hunger  with  a  few  berries,  than  she  relapsed 
into  her  previous  apathy.  In  this  condition 
she  remained  for  no  less  than  eight  days. 

On  the  ninth  day,  while  snatching  some 
berries  from  a  tree,  she  heard  at  a  distance  a 
rustling  sound,  like  that  made  by  a  person 
making  his  way  among  dry  branches.     She 


OP   SIBERIA.  275 

listened,  and  as  the  sound  fell  on  her  ear 
more  and  more  distinctly,  she  began  to  hope 
that  it  drew  nearer.  How  full  of  moment  to 
her  was  the  anxious  interval,  as  with  each 
sound  a  distracting  hope  of  deliverance  rose 
in  her  mind ! 

After  some  minutes  of  intense  expectation, 
alternating  between  hope  and  despair,  the 
branches  of  the  thicket  parted,  and  she 
beheld  a  bear.  Her  fii'st  emotion  was  intense 
terror.  Had  she  possessed  sufficient  strength 
she  would  have  taken  flight,  but  this  desire 
instantly  gave  way  to  a  different  sensation  : 
"God,  in  His  great  mercy,"  she  murmured, 
''  perhaps  sends  me  a  speedy  end,  instead  of 
a  protracted  lingering  death,"  and  possessed 
by  this  impression  she  resigned  herself  to 
her  fate. 

The  huge  beast  of  the  forest  came  within 
a  few  paces  of  the  spot  where  she  was. 
Calm  and  immoveable,  agitated  by  no  earthly 
desire,  and  nothing  daunted,  she  stood 
resigned  before  him,  a  perfect  statue  of 
patience.  After  contemplating  her  a  moment, 
the  animal  with  an  air  of  gravity  tui-ned 
away,  and  resumed  his  progress  through  the 


276  REVELATIONS 

wood.     The  consternation  which  the  incident 
had  inspired  was  now   dispelled,   and  was 
succeeded  by  reflection.     The  first  idea  that 
rose  in  her  mind  was  the  belief  prevailing 
among  the  natives,  that  a  bear  appearing  to 
a  wanderer  is  sure  to  lead  him  in  the  right 
path.     This  flashed  across  her  brain  with  the 
velocity  of  lightning.     Hope  revived,    and 
with  it  her  courage  ;  and  as  the  bear  moved 
on  with  slow  steps,  she  followed  him  as  close 
as  her  debilitated  state  would  allow.     The 
bear  continued  his  rambling  walk,  casting  at 
times  his  look  behind,  but  though  he  saw 
her    following,    he    neither    increased    nor 
diminished  his  pace.     At  last  her  strength 
completely  failed,  and  the  unhappy  woman 
felt  that  she  could  go  no  further,  and  would 
be  obliged  to  relinquish  her  guide.     After  a 
few  tottering  steps  in  advance,  she  was  so 
overpowered  with  fatigue  as  to  be  compelled 
to  sit  down,  and  at  this  instant  she  saw  the 
bear  suddenly  trot  away,  and  disappear  in 
the  thicket. 

Grief  too  keen  to  describe  now  over- 
whelmed her,  as  she  was  thus  deprived  of 
her  last  hope.     The  extreme  exhaustion  of 


OF   SIBERIA.  277 

physical  powers  was  rendered  more  insup- 
portable by  great  thirst,  and  to  allay  it  she 
was  compelled  to  look  round  for  some  ber- 
ries. As  she  did  so,  she  perceived  through 
the  branches  of  the  trees  something  shining 
like  water.  She  drew  nearer,  and  with  joy 
saw  a  stream  of  running  water  at  a  short  dis- 
tance. She  knew  well  that  by  following  the 
course  of  the  stream  she  would  finally  arrive 
at  a  larger  river,  and  human  settlements 
being  always  on  the  banks  of  rivers,  would 
have  a  chance  of  being  saved.  The  hope 
gave  her  strength,  and  gathering  a  few  ber- 
ries to  refresh  her,  she  proceeded  onwards. 

Night  once  more  overtook  her  in  the 
forest ;  but  on  the  morning  of  the  next  day 
she  succeeded  in  reaching  the  spot  where  the 
stream  emptied  itself  into  the  river.  Not 
knowing  now  what  dii^ection  to  take,  she 
sate  on  the  shore,  hoping  that  some  boat 
might  pass  from  which  she  could  obtain  help. 
In  this  expectation,  she  watched  the  whole 
day,  but  in  vain  ;  no  boat  was  to  be  seen. 

On  the  following  day,  the  twelfth  since  she 
had  left  home,  she  heard  to  her  great  joy  the 
barking  of  dogs  and  occasional  volleys  of  fire- 


278  REYELATIONS 

arms.  Fain  would  she  have  shouted  for 
assistance,  but  she  had  altogether  lost  her 
voice,  and  even  at  a  few  paces  distance  no 
one  could  hear  the  loudest  cry  that  she  could 
utter.  Mustering  all  her  remaining  powers, 
she  endeavoured  to  reach  the  spot  from 
which  the  firing  seemed  to  proceed,  and 
which  appeared  to  be  near  at  hand.  But 
she  was  not  so  fortunate  as  to  meet  any  of 
the  hunting-party;  as  the  hunter,  after  he 
has  fired,  never  remains  in  the  same  place, 
but  advances  to  another,  and  thus,  instead  of 
meeting  him  where  she  expected,  the  faint, 
helpless  woman  could  scarcely  detect  the  scent 
of  the  gunpowder,  and  was  again  perplexed 
as  to  what  direction  she  should  pursue  in 
search  of  him. 

At  last  even  the  report  of  fire-arms  grew 
more  and  more  faint.  From  fear  of  losing 
sight  of  the  river,  she  did  not  venture  to  go 
any  farther,  but  returned  to  her  former  rest- 
ing-place. Finally,  ail  around  relapsed  into 
deep  silence,  and  hope  seemed  to  vanish  for 
ever.  In  this  painful  condition,  mourning 
bitterly  that  fate  should  so  tantalize  her, 
holding  out  a  prospect  of  rescue  and  then 


OF    SIBEEIA.  279 

destroying  it,  her  eyes,  languid  and  faint, 
involuntarily  turned  to  the  river,  as  if  from 
that  quarter  alone  she  could  hope  for  suc- 
cour. How  great,  how  unspeakable  was  her 
joy,  when  she  descried  a  boat !  She  made  an 
effort  to  shout,  to  apprise  its  inmates  of  her 
forlorn  condition,  but  without  success,  as  her 
voice  was  powerless.  Her  despair  was  now 
indescribable,  as  she  thought  that  the  last 
opportunity  of  deliverance  would  pass  by, 
and  leave  her  to  a  most  horrible  death.  In 
this  dilemma  she  tore  branches  from  the 
trees,  and  flung  them  in  the  water,  hoping 
to  attract  attention  by  the  splash ;  but 
thrown  by  so  feeble  a  hand,  this  was  not  to 
be  expected.  She  would  have  readily  flung 
herself  into  the  stream,  if  she  had  thought 
that  the  splash  would  have  been  heard,  but 
a  moment's  reflection  convinced  her  that  the 
boat  was  at  too  great  a  distance  for  this  to  be 
possible. 

The  boat  was  now  nearly  abreast,  and  in 
another  minute  would  pass  by,  when  an  idea 
struck  her,  which  she  instantly  proceeded  to 
realize.  She  had  a  red  silk  kerchief  on  her 
head,  and  this  she  immediately  pulled  off, 


280  REVELATIONS 

and  tying  it  on  a  long  stick,  waved  it  in  the 
air.  Most  fortunately,  tlie  signal  was  per- 
ceived. The  boat  made  for  the  shore,  and 
took  her  on  board. 

The  boatmen  belonged  to  the  same  party 
as  the  huntsmen,  whose  fii'ing  she  had  so 
recently  heard,  and  both  had  been  sent  out 
in  search  of  her.  Her  husband,  children, 
and  relatives  had,  from  the  moment  of  her 
disappearance,  been  unremitting  in  exploring 
the  forest;  and  when  all  theii'  exertions 
proved  unavailing,  the  whole  population  of 
Kondisk  had  been  called  upon  to  continue 
the  search.  Friends,  neighbours,  and  ac- 
quaintances turned  out  in  a  body  to  scour 
the  inmost  recesses  of  the  forest.  One  party 
penetrating  the  thicket,  shouted  and  dis- 
charged their  guns,  to  apprise  her  of  their 
presence,  and  in  what  direction  she  should 
seek  them.  Another  went  on  the  river,  as 
the  universal  highway,  and  the  safest,  to 
which  all  who  happened  to  lose  themselves 
were  accustomed  to  turn  their  steps,  as  their 
only  trustworthy  path  in  this  vast  wilder- 
ness. But,  as  if  fortune  were  adverse,  just 
at  the  moment  when  the  unliappy  woman 


OF    SIBERIA.  281 

perceived  the  boat,  the  boatmen  were  obliged, 
from  the  peculiar  character  of  the  navigation, 
to  keep  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river  at  a 
considerable  distance  from  her  ;  and  had  they 
not  been  so  unremittingly  vigilant,  looking 
for  her  in  every  possible  direction,  she  must 
have  miserably  perished. 

In  this  extraordinary  manner,  after  twelve 
days'  absence  from  home,  the  poor  woman 
was  restored  to  her  family,  and,  I  might 
almost  say,  to  life.  Famished  and  worn  out, 
she  was  also  so  altered  in  appearance  as  to  be 
scarcely  recognisable,  and  looked  more  like 
a  skeleton  than  a  living  being. 


282  EEVELATIONS 


CHAPTEE  XYIII. 

The  library  at  Tobolsk — Popularity  of  novels  at  Berezov 
— Tale-tellers — Samoiedes — Their  tents,  habits,  and 
religion — Tragic  incident  at  Samarov — Kapustka  fete 
— Anna  Piotrowna — Public  opinion  on  seduction — 
Alarm  at  the  appearance  of  a  bear. 

Rainy  days  were  raw  and  cold  within,  and 
out  of  doors  made  everything  look  gloomy 
and  morunful.  Fortunately  for  me  in  such 
weather  I  had  become  passionately  fond  of 
working  on  canvas  ;  and  to  this  occupation, 
trifling  as  it  may  seem,  I  was  indebted  for  the 
most  agreeable  hours  spent  at  Berezov.  This 
kind  of  work  concentrated  my  ideas,  so  that 
they  diverged  neither  to  the  past  nor  the 
future,  but  were  all  directed  to  the  task 
before  me.  The  counting  of  threads,  the 
stitching,  and  the  sorting  of  the  colours,  do 
not   allow  leisure  for  abstraction ;    and  the 


OF    SIBERIA.  283 

increase  of  the  work  beneath  one's  fingers 
gives  an  impulse  to  perseverance. 

It  is  twilight.  Eeluctantly  I  rise  from  my 
working-frame.  I  cannot  take  any  out-door 
exercise  to  close  the  weary  day— nor  can  I 
for  a  moment  stir  fr-om  my  chamber.  The 
heavy  rain  falls  with  increased  violence,  and 
the  streets  stream  with  mud.  I  pass  the 
"  grey  hour  "  of  twilight  in  pacing  the  room 
in  silent  meditation.  Ah,  my  meditations 
that  I  revolve  in  my  solitude,  they  bring  a 
whole  world  into  my  soul,  calling  into  my 
presence,  to  this  my  lonely  abode,  glimmer- 
ing with  the  last  faint  light  of  parting  day, 
so  many  dear  reminiscences,  appearing  for  a 
moment,  and  then  vanishing  like  shadows  of 
a  magic  lantern. 

Light  is  brought  in.  1  must  again  think 
in  what  maimer  I  may  best  spend  the  evening. 
Then  sleep,  that  beneficent  refresher,  with 
its  enchanting  wand,  may  close  my  eyes,  and 
conjure  up,  perhaps,  in  its  bold  pencillings 
and  vivid  coloiu's,  all  the  images  which  I  so 
fondly  cherish,  and  can  only  smTender  with 
my  existence. 

In  a  country  where  there  is    no  develop- 


284  REVELATIONS 

ment  of  mind,  and  no  intellectual  way  of 
passing  the  time,  it  was  a  most  fortunate  cir- 
cumstance for  me,  that,  after  all,  I  had  a 
tolerable  supply  of  books  at  my  command. 
These  are  procured  from  Tobolsk,  where  there 
is  a  small  library  consisting  of  Polish,  French, 
and  other  works.  It  was  founded  by  Count 
Peter  Moszynski,  who,  having  possessed  a  co- 
pious collection  of  books,  left  it  on  his  return 
from  banishment,  for  the  use  of  those  who 
might  be  similarly  situated.  The  original  col- 
lection has  been  enlarged  by  yearly  accessions 
of  new  publications,  which  are  procured  from 
St.  Petersburg  by  means  of  voluntary  sub- 
scriptions for  that  purpose,  made  among  the 
few  Tobolsk  literati,  according  to  their  ability. 

The  books  are  kept  in  a  building  assigned 
to  them,  forming  as  it  were  a  public  property ; 
and  every  subscriber  has  a  right  to  take  home 
such  works  as  he  may  choose.  In  case  of 
any  one  desiring  to  withdraw  his  contribu- 
tion from  the  establishment,  he  is  at  liberty 
to  take  fi'om  the  library  books  to  the  value  of 
the  amount.  It  is,  however,  seldom,  that 
any  subscriber,  on  quitting  the  place,  avails 
himself  of  this  liberal  regulation. 

I  found  more  books  at  Berezov  than  I  had 


or  siBEKiA.  285 

at  fii'st  anticipated.  They  consisted  chiefly  of 
novels  written  originally  in  Enssian,  and 
also  translations  from  other  foreign  languages. 
It  may  be  true,  that  these  works  had  found 
their  way  here  accidentally,  and  that  love  of 
literature  had  nothing  to  do  with  their  impor- 
tation. Still  they  met  with  an  hospitable  re- 
ception, and  I  have  observed  that  the  taste  of 
the  inhabitants  for  romantic  tales  and  stories  of 
life  is  more  general  than  is  imagined,  perhaps. 
They  derive  such  a  relish  from  all  that  is  won- 
derful and  extraordinary,  that  there  is  not  a 
family  that  has  not  its  favoiu-ite  haim^  (story- 
teller), for  the  amusement  of  the  domestic 
circle  during  the  long  winter  evenings. 
1^0  sooner  does  this  story-teller  make  his 
appearance,  and  take  his  privileged  seat,  than 
all  the  inmates  of  the  house — master,  chil- 
dren, servants, — often  even  neighbours,  old 
and  young — ^hasten  to  gather  round  him. 
They  take  their  places  as  they  best  can — 
some  on  chairs,  some  on  benches,  or  on  the 
floor,  eager  not  to  lose  a  word  of  the  coming 
recital.  By  dint  of  constant  repetition,  the 
stories  and  fables  related  are  not  unknown  to 
the  assembled  audience ;  and  indeed    they 


286  REVELATIONS 

know  tliem  almost  b}^  heart,  insomuch,  that, 
in  ease  of  any  passages  being  omitted,  or  any 
deviation  made  from  the  well-known  text,  t  he 
narrator  is  often  corrected  even  by  children. 
Nevertheless,  these  familiar  tales  are  listened 
to  with  as  much  attention  and  delight,  as 
though  they  were  entirely  new. 

Most  of  the  stories  are  of  Eussian  origin  ; 
and  when  told,  portions  are  accompanied, 
like  the  different  stan2;as  in  some  songs,  by  a 
sort  of  uniform  refrain  composed  chiefly  of 
words  without  any  meaning,  but  which,  after 
some  parts  of  the  narration,  are  constantly  re- 
peated, and  even  the  more  frequently  from 
being  more  absurd.  With  respect  to  the  novels, 
the  more  exaggeration  and  wonders,  and  the 
less  probability  they  contain,  the  more  are 
they  admii-ed.  Some  that  I  read,  I  found  to 
be  such  a  combination  of  absurdity  and  non- 
sense, that  I  was  amazed  how,  in  the  present 
age,  such  trash  could  be  written  or  thought 
worth  publishing. 

Of  modern  novels,  the  best  were  translations 
from  foreign  languages.  Their  circulation, 
however,  was  limited,  as  but  a  small  number 
of  the  fair  sex  were  able  to  read  with  any 


OF   SIBERIA.  287 

fluency— reading  being  an  accomplishment 
rarely  met  with  here  even  among  men,  and 
still  more  rarely  among  women.  As  to  the 
fair  readers,  they  were  considered  great 
luminaries,  though  really  incapable  of  either 
reflection  or  argument.  Any  passages  in 
their  books  having  sublimity  or  delicacy  of 
sentiment  are  skipped,  and  can  neither  warm 
their  imagination  nor  touch  their  hearts. 
What  is  called  platonic  love,  or  the  senti- 
ment of  honour  in  the  sense  understood  by 
us,  is  entirely  beyond  the  limits  of  their 
comprehension.  They  may  excite  curiosity, 
but  awaken  no  sympathy.  A  man  capable 
of  staking  his  life  in  order  to  redeem  his 
pledged  word,  though  pledged,  as  is  often  the 
case,  inconsiderately  ;  or  a  woman  ready  to  de- 
vote the  whole  of  herUfe  to  the  man  she  loves, 
and  maintaining  that  love  sacred  because  she 
has  inwardly  vowed  it  in  her  heart,  are 
accounted  by  them  to  be  merely  visionary 
conceptions,  or  at  best  incidents  long  banished 
from  this  sublunary  world.  Totally  unable  to 
understand  how  such  high  sentiments  can  be- 
come the  mainspring  of  action,  they  consider 
them  fabulous,  like  the  histories  of  the  Pala- 


288  EEVELATIONS 

dins  of  old,  wlio,  single  handed,  encountered 
armies  of  forty  thousand  men  in  battle,  or  who 
could  take  strong  fortresses  without  the  aid  of 
a  single  soldier.  Literary  productions  of  this 
and  the  like  romantic  stamp,  are  eagerly  de- 
voured and  much  admired  by  the  Berezovians, 
and  are  also  judged,  as  I  have  just  hinted, 
not  after  our  European,  but  by  their  own  pe- 
culiar standard  of  criticism. 

On  paying  a  chance  visit  to  a  Siberian 
lady,  and  finding  her  sitting  with  a  book  by 
Chateaubriand  or  D'Arlincoui^t  in  her  hand, 
as  I  have  frequently  done,  I  at  first  felt  the 
greatest  astonishment.  But  when  I  heard  this 
same  literary  lady,  whom  I  fomid  poring  over 
the  pages  of  these  authors,  address  her  waiting- 
maid  in  a  torrent  of  coarse,  abusive  language, 
which  no  market-woman  in  oui'  towns  would 
use  without  blushing,  I  felt  that  she  could  not 
possibly  understand  what  she  was  reading. 

The  Samoiedes,  from  the  shores  of  the 
Frozen  Ocean,  arrive  here  in  August,  to 
fetch  corn-brandy  or  whisky.  Berezov  is  the 
last  northern  point  in  the  government  of 
Tobolsk,  where  that  article  can  be  obtained 
from  the  government  stores.     All  the  iiiliabi- 


OF    SIBERIA.  289 

tants  of  this  cold  clime  betray  an  excessive 
proneness  for  intoxication,  and  therefore  the 
Government  deem  it  right  to  restrict  the  nse 
of  ardent  spirits  as  much  as  possible,  by 
means  of  most  stringent  regulations  framed 
for  that  purpose.  Illicit  importation  of 
whisky  into  the  interior  is  severely  forbidden, 
except  what  can  be  bought  from  the  stores 
of  this  place,  and  it  is  even  fixed  by  law, 
what  quantity  of  spuits  can  be  obtained 
from  the  stores,  either  for  private  use  or  for 
sale.  But,  as  it  commonly  happens  in 
Eussia,  the  intention  of  the  law  is  set  aside, 
and  its  best  provisions  defeated.  The  passion 
of  the  Ostiaks  and  Samoiedes  for  intoxication 
is  so  strong,  that  they  will  travel  a  hundred 
versts  for  no  other  purpose  than  to  muddle 
their  heads  with  whisky,  and  thus  large 
cargoes  of  it  are  smuggled  to  their  settlements 
from  other  parts. 

The  Samoiedes*  are  taller  and  much  finer 
men  than  the  Ostiaks.     Their  hair  and  eyes 

*  The  term  Samoied  is  Slavonic,  and  signifies  self- 
eater.  But  whether  these  people  were  ever  cannibals  is 
not  ascertained;  now,  at  least,  no  such  crime  can  be 
laid  to  their  charge. 

VOL.    I.  O 


290  REVELATIOIfS 

are  black,  which  is  rather  uncommon  in  the 
population  of  these  parts.  They  shave  their 
heads  below,  leaving  some  hair  on  the  top,  and 
this  they  comb  down  on  the  forehead.  They 
do  not  allow  their  beards  to  grow,  and  it  is 
customary  both  with  themselves  and  their 
neighbours,  the  Ostiaks,  to  tear  their  hair 
out  by  the  roots  while  it  is  young,  and  then 
it  does  not  grow  again.  Their  language  is 
different  fi-om  that  of  the  Ostiaks.  They 
speak  with  a  nasal  twang,  and  very  indis- 
tinctly ;  not  from  any  defect  in  their  organs 
of  speech,  but  fr'om  a  peculiarity  in  their 
idiom.  In  their  costume,  the  Samoiedes  do 
not  much  differ  fr'om  the  Ostiaks.  Theii- 
di-ess  consists  of  reindeer  skin,  with  the  only 
difference  that  that  of  the  Samoiedes  is 
arranged  with  more  care  and  taste. 

The  Samoiedes  occupy  the  principal  part 
of  Western  Siberia,  extending  their  nomade 
settlements  along  the  shores  of  the  Frozen 
Ocean,  fi-om  the  Uralian  Mountains  to  the 
river  Lena.  The  whole  extent  of  the  terri- 
tory inhabited  by  theii*  tribes  is  marshy  to 
such  a  degree,  that  it  is  devoid  of  all  forests, 
as  none  of  the  larger  trees,  with  the  exception 


OF    SIBERIA.  291 

of  osiers,  can  grow  on  the  boggy  ground.  In 
this  respect  they  are  far  worse  off  than  the 
Ostiaks,  who  are  favoured  with  plenty  of 
fuel,  and  are  protected  by  large  forests  from 
the  cold.  The  miserable  osiers  and  low 
brushwood  are  all  that  the  Samoiedes  have 
for  fuel,  while  small  tents  of  reindeer  skins, 
pitched  on  snow,  are  their  only  refuge  from 
the  weather.  These  tents  are  of  a  conical 
shape,  and  in  their  language  are  -called 
tchoum.  They  are  transportable  fi'om  place 
to  place,  which  operation  is  performed  several 
times  in  the  course  of  the  year,  or  rather  as 
frequently  as  the  necessity  of  hunting  or 
fishing  may  require.  Under  such  wretched 
shelter,  childi^en  are  born  and  brought  up; 
and  what  is  most  wonderful,  they  are  healthy 
and  robust.  Fishing  and  hunting  are  the 
Samoiedes'  only  means  of  subsistence.  They 
sometimes  keep  a  considerable  number  of 
reindeer,  which,  in  years  when  the  chase  and 
fishing  fail,  are  appropriated  for  food. 

It  is  on  the  extensive  marshy  plains  along 
the  shores  of  the  Frozen  Ocean,  occupied  by 
the  Same  ied  tribes,  that  the  valuable  white  rein- 
deer are  found  in  greatest  number,  and  they 


292  REVELATIONS 

constitute  the  principal  object  of  commerce 
in  that  region.  The  natives  hunt  these 
animals,  and  theu'  skins  represent  money,  by 
means  of  which  all  other  commodities  are 
obtained.  Various  specimens  of  foxes,  which 
fetch  high  prices,  also  come  from  this  district, 
as  do  blue  cams  lopagas^  ermine,  and  ducks 
called  gagarJci^  the  down  of  whose  necks  is 
very  much  prized  for  its  exquisite  beauty, 
and,  after  undergoing  a  certain  process,  is 
used  to  ornament  pelisses. 

The  costume  of  Samoied  women  is,  with 
some  trifling  distinctions,  nearly  the  same  as 
that  of  the  Ostiak  women.  They  wear  girdles 
round  the  waist,  ornamented  in  front  with  large 
plates  of  brass,  emblazoned  with  various 
figures.  The  plates  are  commonly  of  a  cir- 
cular form,  and  broad  enough  to  cover  nearly 
the  whole  of  the  chest.  From  these  hang 
strings  of  beads  and  sounding  pieces  of  metal, 
which  dangle  about  in  front.  Bells  of  metal 
are  often  fastened  as  ornaments  to  the  elbows. 

The  Samoiedes  are  to  this  day  idolaters, 
following  the  tenets  of  their  ancient  Shamanic 
religion.  They  worship  the  sun,  the  moon,  and 
the  works  of  nature,  in  so  far  as  these  engage 


or  SIBERIA.  293 

theii-  attention,  either  by  their  uses  or  their 
beauty.  A  beautiful  tree,  a  stone,  a  river, 
or  a  lake,  if  it  captivates  their  eye,  at  once 
secures  their  reverence  and  adoration. 
Their  religion  has  little  spirituality.  It 
teaches  that  the  gods  of  theu'  race  are  sojourn- 
ing amidst  them,  and  often  show  themselves 
in  human  form,  in  the  Samoiedan  costume. 
These  divinities  take  every  possible  interest 
in  the  earthly  concerns  of  the  tribes,  warning 
them  whether  they  will  succeed  or  fail  in 
their  j&sheries ;  whether  the  hunting  season 
will  be  prosperous,  or  the  reverse ;  and 
whether  this  year  will  be  one  of  famine  or  plenty. 
This  faith  is  far  from  being  based  exclu- 
sively on  ancient  traditions  ;  it  forms  part  of 
their  actual  life.  At  the  commencement  oi 
every  year,  a  rumour  is  mysteriously  circu- 
lated amongst  them  of  an  augury  presaging 
what  is  to  occur  in  the  ensuing  twelve  months, 
which  is  said  to  have  been  announced  to  some 
one  by  the  national  deity  in  person.  The 
revelation  is  usually  made  on  the  banks  of  a 
river,  or  in  the  depths  of  a  forest.  The 
Eussians   themselves,  notwithstanding  their 

profession  of  Christianity,  do  not  refuse  belief 

0  2 


294  EEVELATIONS 

in  these  prognostications,  and  admitting  that  a 
Samoied  god  may  appear  to  a  Samoied,  they 
urge  only  that  he  is  inferior  to  the  Chris- 
tian God.  In  proof  of  this,  many  most 
absurd  stories  are  circulated,  and  foolishly 
received  as  gospel  truths.  Among  these  is 
one  relating  how  an  Ostiak  god,  meeting  a 
Christian  priest,  challenged  him  to  a  contest 
of  sldll  in  working  miracles,  which  was 
accepted  by  the  priest ;  and  after  many  mar- 
vellous efforts  on  the  part  of  the  Ostiak  god, 
he  was,  of  course,  to  his  great  vexation  and 
shame,  completely  discomfited  by  the  priest. 

On  the  last  day  of  August,  the  frost  was 
so  intense  that  the  ground  was  frozen  as 
hard  as  it  is  in  Europe  in  the  month  of 
December.  Vessels  which  had  been  out  to 
the  sea  fisheries  began  to  return  home ;  and 
among  the  arrivals  was  our  landlord,  who,  I 
expected,  would  have  brought  a  large  cargo 
of  fish ;  but  all  that  he  had  caught  had  been 
salted  and  sold  to  the  merchants  of  Tobolsk. 
The  Berezovians  never  eat  salt  fish,  and 
speak  of  it  with  disgust. 

The  returned  ships  brought  intelligence  of 
one   of   the    most   tragic   events    that    had 


OF    SIBERIA.  295 

occured   here   within   memory,    and  it   en- 
grossed the  whole  attention  of  the  public  for 
some  time.     A  merchant  of  Samarov,  a  place 
I  have  before  mentioned,  was  with  his  ves- 
sel at  the  fisheries  in  the  Oby  Gulf,  and  was 
returning  home  with  a  cargo  of  salt  fish, 
with  the  intention  of  proceeding  afterwards 
to  Tobolsk,  according  to  his  annual  custom, 
to  dispose  of  it.     Arrived,  however,  within  a 
short  distance  of  Samarov,  his  vessel  stranded 
on  a  sand-bank,  and  fi'om  want  of  proper 
succour  was  wrecked,  and  all  the  cargo  lost. 
The  merchant  and  crew  were  saved,  and  came 
on  in  two  small  boats  to  their  native  village. 
To   give   him   a   good   reception   on    his 
return,  his  wife,  according  to  the  custom  of 
the  country  on  similar  occasions,   had   the 
samovar   and    tea  awaiting    him,    and    his 
neighboiu's  came  in  a  body  to  join  in  the 
welcome.     The   arrival   of    a   vessel   in   so 
lonely  a  locality  is  always  reckoned  among 
important  events,  and  usually  attracted  the 
cui'iosity  of  everybody  in  the  neighboiu'hood. 
But  all  this  cmiosity  and  friendly  demonstra- 
tion of  sympathy  had  no  effect  on  the  mer- 
chant.    They  could  not  dispel  from  his  mind 


296 


REVELATIONS 


the  dark  melancholy  caused  by  the  loss  he 
had  sustained.     In  vain  his  affectionate  wife 
tried  to  cheer,  his  neighbours  to  console  him ; 
in  vain  his  little  son,  a  boy  of  three  years, 
fondly  crei^t  round  his  knees,  to  soothe  his 
grief.     He  looked  on  with  tears  in  his  eyes, 
and  remained  silent  and  disconsolate.    Before 
the  tea  was  poured  out  he  left  the  room,  and 
only  a  few   minutes   had   elapsed   when   a 
servant  rushed  in,  and  announced  the  dismal 
intelligence  that  his  master  had  hung  himself. 
On  hearing  this,  the  guests,  struck  with 
horror,  hurried  to  the  spot  where  the  suicide 
was   committed.     They   saw   the   merchant 
hanging,  and  instantly  cut  the  rope ;  and  as 
he  was  not  entirely  strangled,  succeeded  in 
recalling  life.     The  disturbance  caused  by 
the  event  having   somewhat  subsided,   the 
company  were  returning  to  the  apartment 
they  had  just  left,  when  a  horrible  spectacle 
burst  upon  them.     The  samovar  had  upset, 
and  the  little  boy  of  three  years  falling  under 
it,  was  deluged  with  boiling  water,  and  was 
rolling  on  the  floor,  his  whole  body  a  perfect 
blister.     Tlie  next  day  the  child  died.     The 
merchant,  who  previously  had  not  sufficient 


OF    SIBERIA.  297 

fortitude  to  bear  up  against  the  loss  of  his 
cargo  of  fish,  was  strangely  enough  able  to 
drain  this  cup  of  bitterness,  looking  on  his 
beloved  child — ^his  only  son — dying  in  this 
dreadful  agony. 

I  received  an  invitation  to  an  horticultural 
ftte^  called  ka^mstka  (cabbage),  from  which  it 
will  be  seen  that  that  vegetable  has  found  its 
way  to  Berezov,  but  though  planted  here,  ow- 
ing to  the  shortness  of  the  summer,  the  bulb 
does  not  attain  any  perfection.   It  is  gathered 
in  leaves,  which  are  chopped  in  thin  pieces, 
and  a  dish  called  harshtch  prepared  from  them. 
The  usual  season  for  gathering  cabbage  is 
when  frost  sets  in.      At  that  time,  it  is  cus- 
tomary for  every  lady  who  possesses  a  cab- 
bage-garden, to  choose  some  day  which  may 
be  most  convenient  for  her  female  relations 
and  friends  to  come  and  work  in  her  garden. 
The  whole  task  being  accomplished  in  one  day, 
the  fair  labourers  go  in  turn  on  succeeding  days 
to  other  fields  to  perform  the  same.     In  my 
own  case,  having  intimated  to  my  landlady 
my  willingness  to  assist  in  the  work,  I  was 
invited  with  the  rest  of  her  female  fiiends. 
We  all  proceeded  to  the  cabbage-field,  and 


298  REVELATIONS 

there  cut  the  leaves  from  the  tiny  stalks  with 
knives,  and  deposited  the  whole  of  the  crop 
in  a  room.  Large  troughs  were  then  brought, 
and  filled  with  the  leaves  which  we  had  first 
chopped  and  salted,  layer  after  layer.  This 
done,  we  carried  the  salted  cabbage  to  a  cellar, 
and  packed  it  in  wooden  tubs.  While  the 
process  of  chopping  was  in  progress,  one 
of  the  party  sang  a  lively  song.  Our 
work  completed,  we  had  tea  and  other  re- 
freshments. Then  followed  dancing,  but  with- 
out music,  or  the  attraction  of  male  partners, 
though  the  good-heartedness  and  cheerful 
disposition  of  the  company  made  amends  for 
all  other  deficiencies. 

As  I  took  no  part  in  the  dancing,  I  accosted 
one  of  my  fellow-reapers,  whose  expressive 
countenance  and  delicacy  of  demeanour  had 
particularly  struck  me.  She  was  probably 
past  thirty ;  but  she  was  still  a  handsome 
young  woman.  Her  pale,  delicate  face,  and 
her  black  eyes,  full  of  sweetness  and  melan- 
choly, possessed  a  charm  which  I  could  not 
resist.  I  took  a  seat  at  her  side,  and,  to  open 
a  conversation,  asked  her  why  she  did  not  dance. 

"  It  is  not  for  me  to  dance,''  answered  Anna 


OF    SIBERIA,  299 

Piotrowna.  "  I  must  husband  my  strength, 
that  I  may  be  able  to  work  for  my  two  children, 
who  are  maintained  by  my  labour." 

This  answer  made  me  feel  still  greater  in- 
terest in  her.  "  Are  you  a  widow  ?''  I  in- 
quired. 

"  !N"o  ;  I  am  married,"  said  she.  "  My 
husband  is  in  the  employ  of  the  Governor- 
General  at  Omsk,  and,  as  I  am  told,  very  well 
off." 

"  What  occasion  can  there  be,  then,  for  you 
to  work  for  your  children  ?"  I  asked. 

Mournfully  shaking  her  head,  Anna  Pio- 
trowna replied  in  a  tone  of  sorrow:  "What 
can  a  woman  do  with  a  husband  who  is  for- 
getful of  his  duty  ?  For  two  years  he  remem- 
bered the  children,  and  sent  us  some  money, 
but  he  has  since  entirely  forgotten  me  and 
them.  For  twelve  years  I  have  been  left 
without  any  resources,  compelled  to  provide 
for  the  subsistence  of  my  family ;  and  until 
my  eldest  son  grows  up,  my  labour  can  know 
no  intermission.  From  my  needle-work  I 
have  contrived  to  give  him  such  education  as 
can  be  had  in  this  town.  A  good  and  intelli- 
gent boy  he  is,  employing  his  time  at  school 


300  REVELATIONS 

in  the  best  manner.  He  has  learnt  to  read 
and  to  write,  and  T  have  procured  him  the 
post  of  clerk  in  the  government  office  at 
Tobolsk,  where  he  is  already  in  a  fair  way  of 
gaining  his  livelihood ;  and  when  he  writes 
letters  to  me  the  people  wonder  at  his  beauti- 
ful writing,  and  say  that  it  looks  like  an  en- 
graving. I  have  besides  to  maintain  my 
aged  father,  who  is  not  able  to  do  any  work. 
My  daughter  is  approaching  womanhood ; 
and  ere  long  she  may  be  married,  when  she 
will  need  some  dowry.  So  much  is  expected 
from  the  exertions  of  one  poor  woman  !" 

"  Why  do  you  not  write  to  your  husband?" 
said  I.  "  It  is  impossible  that  he  should  with- 
hold from  his  family  the  support  and  protec- 
tion he  is  bound  to  give." 

"  Do  you  think  he  does  not  know  how  we 
are  situated?"  was  her  reply.  "  I  wrote  to 
him  indeed  several  times ;  but  when  I  found 
that  he  would  not  answer  my  letters,  I  ceased 
to  trouble  him,  trusting  that  God  would  take 
us  under  His  protection." 

"  H  your  husband  refuses  you  and  your 
children  voluntary  assistance,  you  might  ob- 
tain it  by  law.     You  have  only  to  draw  up 


or   SIBERIA.  301 

a  complaint  against  him,  and  the  Govern- 
ment would  order  a  deduction  of  a  portion  of 
his  salary  for  the  maintenance  of  his 
family.'' 

"  Many  times  have  I  received  this  advice, 
but  the  idea  of  such  a  course  is  too  repulsive 
to  me,"  she  replied. 

"1^0  doubt,  that  is  a  noble  sentiment; 
but  for  the  sake  of  the  children,  you  should 
not  shrink  from  taking  this  step.  "With  a 
larger  income,  you  might  give  your  son  a 
better  education,  and  even  get  your  daugh- 
ter better  married." 

"  All  you  say  is  perfectly  true  ;  yet,  apart 
from  the  aversion  I  feel  to  any  such  measure, 
there  is  another  obstacle  connected  with  it — 
and  that  is,  my  husband  and  myself  were  not 
lawfully  married." 

My  cheek  crimsoned  on  hearing  this  con- 
fession ;  I  was  confounded,  and  did  not  know 
how  to  continue  the  conversation,  not  from 
any  undue  prudery,  which  at  my  age  would 
have  ill  become  me,  but  from  the  conscious- 
ness of  the  pain  which  I  thought  that  I  must 
have  caused  this  poor  woman,  in  forcing  her, 
by  my  untoward  questions,  to  so  unwelcome 

VOL.    I.  P 


302  REVELATIONS 

an  avowal,  which,  as  I  imagined,  could  not 
be  made  by  any  woman  without  the  greatest 
anguish.  Happily,  the  daughter  of  our  land- 
lady at  that  very  moment  accosted  us,  and 
diverted  the  conversation  into  a  different 
channel.  I  cast  a  timid  look  at  Anna 
Piotrowna,  but,  to  my  surprise,  did  not  per- 
ceive in  her  features  any  of  that  confusion 
which  I  experienced  myself. 

This  circumstance  gave  me  much  to  think 
of.  I  was,  I  confess,  quite  at  a  loss  to  re- 
concile the  severe  propriety  observed  in  our 
landlord's  family  with  the  respect  shown  by 
them  to  Anna  Piotrowna,  who  was,  in  fact, 
the  chosen  friend  of  all.  There  was  not  a 
festival  to  which  she  was  not  invited,  and  no 
incident  happened  in  the  family,  in  which 
she,  as  a  Mend,  did  not  participate. 

In  the  evening  of  the  following  day  I  in- 
vited our  landlord  to  play  chess  with  me — a 
game  of  which  he  was  extremely  fond.  As 
our  game  progressed,  I  purposely  led  the  con- 
versation to  the  subject  of  Anna  Piotrowna, 
and  at  the  same  time  stated  how  much  our 
European  opinions  would  condemn  her  con- 
duct.    From  his  reply,   I  discovered  that, 


OF    SIBERIA.  303 

while  we  visit  an  imprudent  woman,  seduced 
from  the  path  of  virtue,  with  irrevocable  con- 
demnation, ejecting  her  from  society  as  one 
branded  with  indelible  dishonour,  without 
considering  the  extenuating  circumstances 
which  might  be  adduced  to  diminish  her 
guilt,  the  Siberians,  with  primitive  feelings 
of  justice,  lay  all  the  blame  on  the  seducer. 
If  the  woman  has  sought  the  mere  gratifica- 
tion of  her  passion,  and  not  a  matrimonial 
alliance  ;  or,  in  other  words,  when  both  par- 
ties are  not  ft-ee,  and  could  not  by  any  means 
have  seriously  contemplated  marriage ;  or 
when  the  man  has  not  held  out  a  promise  of 
this  kind,  public  opinion  treats  the  unhappy 
woman  with  inexorable  severity.  But  if,  on 
the  other  hand,  a  young  woman  has  the  mis- 
fortune to  be  abandoned,  and  her  lover  deserts 
her  without  any  fault  on  her  part,  she 
becomes  rather  an  object  of  commiseration 
than  of  reproof,  and  the  man  alone  is  con- 
demned. In  such  cases,  the  woman  loses  as 
little  in  the  opinion  of  the  public  as  would 
a  creditor  who,  in  all  good  faith,  has  intrusted 
his  capital  to  a  man  who  turns  out  a  bad 
debtor.  With  respect  to  Anna  Piotrowna, 
as  no  levity  could  be  laid  to  her  charge,  and 


304  EEVELATIONS 

no  fault  could  be  found  with  her  conduct ; 
and  as  she  was  scrupulously  discharging  the 
duties  of  a  mother,  making  every  possible 
sacrifice  for  her  children,  she  received  from 
all  the  greatest  sympathy.  Far  from  perse- 
cuting or  despising  her,  the  good  people  here 
commiserated  her  hard  lot,  and,  as  far  as  they 
could,  helped  her  to  bear  up  against  it. 

Before  we  had  finished  our  game  at  chess, 

Madame   X rushed   almost    breathless 

into  the  room,  with  the  intelligence  that  her 
brother,  a  young  merchant,  had  just  returned 
from  the  forest  where  he  had  been  hunting ; 
and  while  traversing  the  thickets,  had  seen,  at 
a  few  steps  from  the  spot  where  he  stood,  a 
huge  bear  tearing  to  pieces  a  dark  cow.  Panic- 
stricken,  as  may  easily  be  imagined,  he  had 
instantly  taken  to  liis  heels,  and  coming  into 
town,  thrown  every  one  into  the  greatest  alarm. 

The  bear  immediately  became  the  only 
topic  of  conversation  among  the  inhabitants. 
Everybody  gave  his  own  version  of  the  inci- 
dent, and  the  young  merchant  was  congratu- 
lated on  his  good  luck  in  having  escaped  from 
the  animal  mihurt. 

END    OE    VOL.    I. 


13,  GREAT  MARLBOROUGH  STREET, 

MESSRS.  HURST  AND  BLACKETT, 

SUCCESSORS  TO  MR.  COLBUM, 

HAVE    LATELY   PUBLISHED 


MEMOIRS  OP   THE 

COUET    AND     CABINETS 

OF    GEORGE   THE   THIRD, 

FROM    ORIGINAL    FAMILY    DOCUMENTS. 

BY  THE  DUKE  OF  BTJCKINGHAM  AND  CHANDOS,  E.G.,  &C. 

Second  Edition,  Revised.     2  vols.  8vo.,  with  Portraits.     30s. 


OPINIONS    OF    THE    PRESS. 

"  These  vokimes  contain  much  valuable  matter.  The  letters  which  George, 
first  Marquis  of  Buckingham,  laid  by  as  worthy  of  preservation,  have  some  claim 
to  see  the  light,  for  he  held  more  than  one  office  in  the  State,  and  consequently 
kept  up  a  communication  with  a  great  number  of  historical  personages.  He 
himself  was  twice  Lord-Lieutenant  of  Ireland,  first,  under  Lord  Rockingham,  and 
secondly,  under  Pitt ;  his  most  constant  correspondents  were  his  two  brothers, 
William  and  Thomas  Grenville,  both  of  whom  spent  the  chief  part  of  their  lives 
iu  official  employments,  and  of  whom  the  former  is  sufficiently  known  to  fame 
as  Lord  Grenville.  The  staple  of  the  book  is  made  up  of  these  family  documents, 
but  there  are  also  to  be  found  interspersed  with  the  Grenville  narrative,  letters 
from  every  man  of  note,  dating  from  the  death  of  the  elder  Pitt  to  the  end  of 
the  century.  There  are  three  periods  upon  which  they  shed  a  good  deal  of  light. 
The  formation  of  the  Coalition  Ministry  in  1783,  the  illness  of  the  King  in  1788, 
and  the  tirst  war  with  Republican  France.  Lord  Grenville's  letters  to  his  brother 
afford  a  good  deal  of  information  on  the  machinations  of  the  Prince's  party,  and 
the  conduct  of  the  Prince  and  the  Duke  of  York  during  the  King's  illness." — The 
Times. 

"  A  very  remarkable  and  valuable  publication.  The  Duke  of  Buckingham  has 
himself  undertaken  the  task  of  forming  a  history  from  the  papers  of  bis  grand- 
father and  great-uncle,  the  Earl  Temple  (first  Marquis  of  Buckingham),  and  Lord 
Greuville,  of  the  days  of  the  second  Win.  Pitt.  The  letters  which  are  given  to 
the  public  in  these  volumes,  extend  over  an  interval  commencing  Tvith  1782,  and 
ending  with  1800.  In  that  interval  events  occurred  which  can  never  lose  their 
interest  as  incidents  in  the  history  of  England.  The  Coalition  Ministry  and  its 
dismissal  by  the  King — the  resistance  of  the  Sovereign  and  Pitt  to  the  efforts  of 
the  discarded  ministers  to  force  themselves  again  into   office — the  great   con- 


HURST   AND    BLACKETT's    NEW    PUBLICATIONS, 


THE    COURT   AND    CABINETS    OF    GEORGE    III. 

OPINIONS    OF    THE    PRESS CONTINUED. 

stiitutional  question  of  the  Regency  ■which  arose  upon  the  King's  disastrous  malady 
— the  contest  upon  that  question  between  the  heir  apparent  and  the  ministers 
of  the  Crown — the  breaking  out  of  the  French  Revolution,  and  the  consequent 
entrance  of  England  upon  the  great  European  war, — these,  with  the  union 
■with  Ireland,  are  political  movements  every  detail  of  •which  possesses  the  deepest 
interest.  In  these  volumes,  details,  then  guarded  ■with  the  most  anxious  care 
from  all  eyes  hut  those  of  the  privileged  few,  are  now  for  the  first  time  given  to 
the  public.  The  most  secret  history  of  many  of  the  transactions  is  laid  bare. 
It  is  not  possible  to  conceive  contemporary  history  more  completely  exemplified. 
From  such  materials  it  was  not  possible  to  form  a  work  that  would  not  possess 
the  very  highest  interest.  The  Duke  of  Buckingham  has,  however,  moulded  his 
materials  with  no  ordinary  ability  and  skill.  The  connecting  narrative  is  written 
both  with  judgment  and  vigour — not  unfrequently  in  a  style  that  comes  up  to 
the  highest  order  of  historical  composition — especially  in  some  of  the  sketches  of 
personal  character.  There  is  scarcely  a  single  individual  of  celebrity  throughout 
the  period  from  1782  to  1800  who  is  not  introduced  into  these  pages  ;  amongst 
others,  besides  the  King  and  the  various  members  of  the  royal  family,  are  Rock- 
ingham, Shelburne,  North,  Thurlow,  Loughborough,  Fox,  Pitt,  Sheridan,  Burke, 
Portland,  Sydney,  Fitzwilliani,  Tierney,  Buckingham,  Granville,  Grey,  Malmes- 
bury,  "Wilberforce.Burdett,  Fitzgibbon,  Grattan,  Flood,  Cornwallis,  the  Beresfords, 
the  Ponsonbys,  the  Wellesleys,  &c." — Morning  Herald. 

"  These  memoirs  are  among  the  most  valuable  materials  for  history  that  have 
recently  been  brought  to  light  out  of  the  archives  of  any  of  our  great  families. 
The  period  embraced  by  the  letters  is  from  the  beginning  of  1782  to  the  close 
of  1799,  comprising  the  last  days  of  the  North  Administration,  the  brief  life  of 
the  Rockingham,  and  the  troubled  life  of  the  Shelburne  Ministry,  the  stormy 
career  of  the  Coalition  of  '83,  the  not  less  stormy  debates  and  intrigues  which 
broke  out  on  the  first  insanity  of  the  King,  the  gradual  modifications  of  Pitt's  first 
Ministry,  and  the  opening  days  of  the  struggle  with  France  after  her  first  great 
revolution.  Of  these  the  most  valuable  illustrations  concern  the  motives  of  Fox 
in  withdrawing  from  Shelburne  and  joining  with  North  against  him,  the  desperate 
intriguing  and  deliberate  bad  faith  of  the  King  exerted  against  the  Coalition,  and 
the  profligacy  and  heartlessness  of  the  Prince  of  Wales  and  his  brother  all  through 
the  Regency  debates.  On  some  incidental  subjects,  also,  as  the  affairs  of  Ireland, 
the  Warren  Hastings  trial,  the  Fitzgerald  outbreak,  the  Union,  the  sad  vicissitudes 
aud  miseries  of  the  last  days  of  the  old  French  monarchy,  &c.,  the  volumes  supply 
illustrative  facts  and  comments  of  much  interest." — Examiner. 

"  This  valuable  contribution  to  the  treasures  of  historic  lore,  now  for  the 
first  time  produced  from  the  archives  of  the  Buckingham  family  displays  the 
action  of  the  different  parties  in  the  State,  throws  great  light  on  the  personal 
character  of  the  King,  as  well  as  on  the  share  which  he  took  in  the  direction  of 
public  affairs,  and  incidentally  reveals  many  facts  hitherto  but  imperfectly  known 
or  altogether  unknown.  In  order  to  render  the  contents  of  the  letters  more 
intelligible,  the  noble  Editor  has,  with  great  tact  and  judgment,  set  them  out  in 
a  kind  of  historical  framework,  in  which  the  leading  circumstances  under  which 
they  were  written  are  briefly  indicated — the  result  being  a  happy  combination  of 
the  completeness  of  historical  narrative  with  the  freshness  of  originalthought 
and  of  contemporaneous  record." — John  Bull. 

"  These  volumes  are  a  treasure  for  the  politician,  and  a  mine  of  wealth  for  the 
historian." — Britannia. 


HISTORY   AND    BIOGRAPHY. 


LOED    GEOliGE    BENTOCK: 

A  POLITICAL  BIOGRAPHY. 

BY   THE    EIGHT   HOH.   B.   DISEAELT,   M.P. 

Fifth  and  Cheaper  Edition,  Revised.     Post  8vo.  10s.  6d. 


From  Blackwood's  Magazine. — "  This  biography  cannot  fail  to  attract  the 
deep  attention  of  the  public.  We  are  bound  to  say,  that  as  a  political  biography 
we  have  rarely,  if  ever,  met  with  a  book  more  dexterously  handled,  or  more 
replete  with  interest.  The  history  of  the  famous  session  of  1S46,  as  written  by 
Disraeli  in  that  briUiant  and  pointed  style  of  which  he  is  so  consummate  a  master, 
is  deeply  interesting.  He  has  traced  this  memorable  struggle  with  a  vivacity  and 
power  unequalled  as  yet  in  any  narrative  of  Parliamentary  proceedings." 

From  The  Dublin  University  Magazine. — "A  political  biography  of 
Lord  George  Bentinck  by  Mr.  Disraeli  must  needs  be  a  work  of  interest  and 
importance.  Either  the  subject  or  the  writer  would  be  sufficient  to  invest  it 
with  both — the  combination  surrounds  it  with  peculiar  attractions.  In  this 
most  interesting  volume  Mr.  Disraeli  has  produced  a  memoir  of  his  friend  in 
which  he  has  combined  the  v.'armest  enthusiasm  of  afiectionate  attachment  with 
the  cahnness  of  the  critic." 

From  The  Morning  Herald. — "  Mr.  Disraeli's  tribute  to  the  memory  of 
his  departed  friend  is  as  graceful  and  as  touching  as  it  is  accurate  and  impartial. 
No  one  of  Lord  George  Bentinck's  colleagues  could  have  been  selected,  who, 
from  his  high  literary  attainments,  his  personal  intimacy,  and  party  associations, 
would  have  done  such  complete  justice  to  the  memory  of  a  friend  and  Parlia- 
mentary associate.  Mr.  Disraeli  has  here  presented  us  Avith  the  very  type  and 
embodiment  of  wdiat  history  should  be.  His  sketch  of  the  condition  of  parties 
is  seasoned  with  some  of  those  piquant  personal  episodes  of  party  manoeuvres 
and  private  intrigues,  in  the  author's  happiest  and  most  captivating  vein,  which 
convert  the  dry  details  of  politics  into  a  sparkling  and  agreeable  narrative." 


LOED  PALMERSTON'S  OPINIONS 

AND    POLICY; 

AS  MINISTER,  DIPLOMATIST,  AND  STATESMAN/ 

during  more  tii.\n  forty  years  of  public  life. 
1  V.  8vo.,  with  Portrait,  12s. 

"  This  work  ought  to  have  a  place  in  every  political  library.  It  gives  a  com- 
plete view  of  the  sentiments  and  opinions  by  which  the  policy  of  Lord 
Palmerston  has  been  dictated  as  a  diplomatist  and  statesman." — Chronicle. 

"  This  is  a  remarkable  and  seasonable  publication ;  but  it  is  something  more — 
it  is  a  valuable  addition  to  the  historical  treasures  of  our  country  during  more 
than  forty  of  the  most  memorable  years  of  our  annals,  "We  earnestly  recommend 
the  volume  to  general  perusal." — Stmidard. 


HURST   AND    BLACKETT's    NEW    PUBLICATIONS. 


THE  LIFE  OF  MAllIE  DE  MEDICIS, 

QUEEN    OF    FRANCE, 

CONSORT  OF  HENRY  IV.,  AND  REGENT  UNDER  LOUIS  XIIL 

BY    MISS    PARDOE, 

Author  of  "Louis  XIV.  and  the  Court  of  France,  in  the  17th  Century,"  &c. 

Second  Edition.    3  large  vols.  8vo.,  -with  Fine  Portraits. 


"  A  fascinating  hook.  The  history  of  such  a  woman  as  the  heautiful,  impulsive, 
earnest,  and  affectionate  Marie  de  Medicis  could  only  be  done  justice  to  by  a 
female  pen,  impelled  by  all  the  sympathies  of  womanhood,  hut  strengthened  by 
an  erudition  by  which  it  is  not  in  every  case  accompanied.  In  Miss  Pardee  the 
unfortunate  Queen  has  found  both  these  requisites,  and  the  result  has  been  a 
biography  combining  the  attractiveness  of  romance  with  the  reliableness  of  his- 
tory, and  which,  talcing  a  place  midway  between  the  'frescoed  galleries'  of 
Thierry,  and  the  '  philosophic  watch-tower  of  Guizot,'  has  all  the  pictorial  brilliancy 
of  the  one,  with  much  of  the  reflective  speculation  of  the  other." — Daily  News. 

"  A  valuable,  well-written,  and  elaborate  biography,  displaying  an  unusual 
amount  of  industry  and  research." — Morning  Chronicle. 

"A  careful  and  elaborate  historical  composition,  rich  in  personal  anecdote. 
Nowhere  can  a  more  intimate  acquaintance  be  obtained  with  the  principal  events 
and  leading  personages  of  the  first  half  of  the  17th  century." — Morning  Post. 

"  A  work  of  high  literary  and  historical  merit.  Rarely  have  the  strange 
vicissitudes  of  romance  been  more  intimately  blended  with  the  facts  of  real 
history  than  in  the  life  of  Marie  de  Medicis  ;  nor  has  the  difficult  problem  of 
combining  with  the  fidelity  of  biography  the  graphic  power  of  dramatic  delineation 
been  often  more  successfully  solved  than  by  the  talented  author  of  the  volumes 
before  us.  As  a  personal  narrative.  Miss  Pardee's  admirable  biography  possesses 
the  most  absorbing  and  constantly  sustained  interest ;  as  a  historical  record  of  the 
events  of  which  it  treats,  its  merit  is  of  no  ordinary  description." — John  Bull. 

"  A  life  more  dramatic  than  that  of  Marie  de  Medicis  has  seldom  been  written ; 
one  more  imperially  tragic,  never.  The  period  of  French  history  chosen  by  Miss 
Pardee  is  rich  in  all  manner  of  associations,  and  brings  together  the  loftiest 
names  and  most  interesting  events  of  a  stirring  and  dazzling  epoch.  She  has 
been,  moreover,  exceedingly  fortunate  in  her  materials.  A  manuscript  of  the  Com- 
mandeur  de  Rambure,  Gentleman  of  the  Bedchamber  under  the  Kings  Henry  IV., 
Louis  XIIL,  and  Louis  XIV.,  consisting  of  the  memoirs  of  the  writer,  with  all 
the  most  memorable  events  which  took  place  during  the  reigns  of  those  three 
Majesties,  from  the  year  1594  to  that  of  1660,  was  placed  at  her  disposal  by 
M.  de  la  Plane,  Member  of  the  Institut  Royal  de  la  France.  This  valuable 
record  is  very  voluminous,  and  throws  a  flood  of  light  on  every  transaction.  Of 
this  important  document  ample  use  has  been  judiciously  made  by  Miss  Pardee ; 
and  her  narrative,  accordingly,  has  a  fulness  and  particularity  possessed  by  none 
other,  and  which  adds  to  the  dramatic  interest  of  the  subject.  The  work  is  very 
elegantly  written,  and  will  be  read  with  delight.  It  forms  another  monument  to 
the  worthiness  of  female  intellect  in  the  age  we  live  in." — Illustrated  News. 


HISTORY   AND    BIOGRAPHY. 


MEMOIRS  OP  THE 

BARONESS    D'OBERKIRCH, 

ILLUSTRATIVE  OF  THE  SECRET  HISTORY  OF 

THE  COURTS  OE  ERANCE,  RUSSIA,  AND  GERMANY. 

"WIlITTE]Sr    BY    HEHSELF, 

And  Edited  by  Her  Grandson,  the  Count  de  Montbrison. 

3  vols.  Post  8vo.    31s.  6d. 


The  Baroness  d'Oberku-ch,  being  the  intimate  friend  of  the  Empress  of  Russia, 
wife  of  Paul  I.,  and  the  confidential  companion  of  the  Duchess  of  Bourbon, 
her  facilities  for  obtaining  information  respecting  the  most  private  affairs  of  the 
principal  Courts  of  Europe,  render  her  Memoirs  unrivalled  as  a  book  of  interest- 
ing anecdotes  of  the  royal,  noble,  and  other  celebrated  individuals  who  flourished 
on  the  continent  during  the  latter  part  of  the  last  century.  Among  the  royal  per- 
sonages inti-oduced  to  the  reader  in  this  work,  are  Louis  XVI.,  Marie  Antoinette, 
Philip  Egalite,  and  all  the  Princes  of  France  then  living — Peter  the  Great,  the 
Empress  Catherine,  the  Emperor  Paul,  and  his  sons  Constantine  and  Alexander, 
of  Russia — Frederick  the  Great  and  Prince  Henry  of  Prussia — The  Emperor 
Joseph  II.  of  Austria — Gustavus  III.  of  Sweden — Princess  Christina  of  Saxony — 
Sobieski,  and  Czartoriski  of  Poland — and  the  Princes  of  Brunswick  and  Wurtem- 
berg.  Among  the  remarkable  persons  are  the  Princes  and  Princesses  de  Lamballe, 
de  Ligne  and  Galitzin — the  Dukes  and  Duchesses  de  Choiseul,  de  Mazarin,  de 
Boutilers,  de  la  Valliere,  de  Guiche,  de  Penthi&vre,  and  de  Polignac — Cardinal  de 
Rohan,  Marshals  Biron  and  d'llarcourt,  Count  de  Staremberg,  Baroness  de 
Krudener,  Madame  GeofFrjn,  Talleyrand,  Mirabeau,  and  Necker — with  Count 
Cagliostro,  Mesmer,  Vestris,  and  Madame  Mara;  and  the  work  also  includes 
such  literary  celebrities  as  Voltaire,  Condorcet,  de  la  Harpe,  de  Beaumarchais, 
Rousseau,  Lavater,  Bernouilli,  Raynal,  de  I'Epee,  Huber,  Gothe,  Wieland,  Male- 
sherbes,  Marmontel,  de  Stael  and  de  Genlis ;  with  some  singular  disclosures 
respecting  those  celebrated  Englishwomen,  Elizabeth  Chudleigh,  Duchess  of 
Kingston,  and  Lady  Craven,  Margravine  of  Anspach. 

"  The  Baroness  d'Oberkirch,  whose  remarkable  Memoirs  are  here  given  to  the  public,  saw 
much  of  courts  and  courtiers,  and  her  Memoirs  are  filled  with  a  variety  of  anecdotes,  not 
alone  of  lords  and  ladies,  but  of  emperors  and  empresses,  kings  and  queens,  and  reigning 
princes  and  princesses.  As  a  picture  of  society  anterior  to  the  French  Kevolution,  the  book 
is  the  latest  and  most  perfect  production  of  its  kind  extant ;  and  as  such,  besides  its  minor 
value  as  a  book  of  amusement,  it  possesses  a  major  value  as  a  work  of  information,  which,  in 
the  interest  of  historical  truth,  is,  without  exaggeration,  almost  incalculable." — Observer. 

"  Thoroughly  genuine  and  unafiFected,  these  Memoirs  display  the  whole  mind  of  a  woman 
who  was  well  worth  knowing,  and  relate  a  large  part  of  her  experience  among  people  with 
whose  names  and  characters  the  world  will  be  at  all  times  busy.  A  keen  obser\'er,  and  by 
position  thrown  in  the  high  places  of  the  world,  the  Baroness  d'Oberkirch  was  the  very 
woman  to  write  Memoirs  that  would  interest  future  generations.  We  commend  these 
volumes  most  heartily  to  every  reader.  They  are  a  perfect  magazine  of  pleasant  anecdotes 
and  interesting  characteristic  things.  M'e  lay  down  these  charming  volumes  with  regret. 
They  will  entertain  the  most  fastidious  readers,  and  instruct  the  most  informed." — Examiner. 

"An  intensely  interesting  autobiography." — Morning  Chronicle. 

"  A  valuable  addition  to  the  personal  history  of  an  important  period.  The  volumes  deserve 
general  popularity." — Daily  News. 

"  One  of  the  most  interesting  pieces  of  contemporary  history,  and  one  of  the  richest 
collections  of  remarkable  anecdotes  and  valuable  reminiscences  ever  produced." — John  Bull. 


6 


HURST    AND    BLACKETT  S    NEW    PUBLICATIONS. 


MEMOIRS  or  JOHN  ABEMETHY,  E.R.S., 

WITH  A  VIEW  OF  HIS  WRITINGS,  LECTURES,  AND  CHARACTER. 

BY  GEORGE  MACILWAIlSr,  E.R.C.S., 

Author  of  "  Medicine  and  Surgery  One  Inductive  Science,"  &c. 

Second  Edition.     2  v.  post  8vo.,  -with  Portrait.   21s. 

"  A  memoir  of  high  professional  and  general  interest." — Morning  Post. 

"  These  memoirs  convey  a  graphic,  and,  we  believe,  faithful  picture  of  the 
celebrated  John  Abernethy.  The  volumes  are  written  in  a  popular  style,  and  will 
afford  to  the  general  reader  much  instruction  and  entertainment." — Herald. 

"  This  is  a  book  which  ought  to  be  read  by  every  one.  The  professional  man 
will  find  in  it  the  career  of  one  of  the  most  illustrious  professors  of  medicine  of 
our  own  or  of  any  other  age — the  student  of  intellectual  science  the  progress  of  a 
truly  profound  philosopner — and  all,  the  lesson  atforded  by  a  good  man's  life. 
Abernethy's  memory  is  worthy  of  a  good  biogi-apher,  and  happily  it  has  found 
one.  Mr.  Macilwain  writes  well;  and  evidently,  in  giving  the  history  of  his 
deceased  friend,  he  executes  a  labour  of  love.  The  arrangement  of  his  matter  is 
excellent :  so  happily  interwoven  with  narrative,  anecdotes,  often  comical  enough, 
and  deep  reflection,  as  to  carry  a  reader  forward  irresistibly." — Standard. 


THE  LITERATUEE  AND  ROMANCE 

OF    NORTHERN    EUROPE: 

CONSTITUTING  A  COMPLETE  HISTORY  OF  THE  LITERATURE  OF  SWEDEN, 
DI  WMARK,  NORWAY,  AND  ICELAND,  WITH  COPIOUS  SPECIMENS  OF  THE 
MOST  CELEBRATED  HISTORIES,  ROMANCES,  POPULAR  LEGENDS  AND  TALES, 
OLD  CHIVALROUS  BALLADS,  TRAGIC  AND  COMIC  DRAMAS,  NATIONAL  SONGS, 
NOVELS,    AND    SCENES    FROM    THE    LIFE    OF    THE    PRESENT    DAY. 

BY  "WILLIAM  AND  MARY  HCWliTT.     2  vols.  21s. 

"  English  readers  have  long  been  indebted  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Howitt.  They 
have  now  increased  our  obligations  by  presenting  us  with  this  most  charming  and 
valuable  work,  by  means  of  which  the  great  majority  of  the  reading  pubhc  will 
be,  for  the  first  time,  made  acquainted  with  the  rich  stores  of  intellectual  wealth 
long  garnered  in  the  literature  and  beautiful  romance  of  Northern  Europe. 
From  the  famous  Edda,  whose  origin  is  lost  in  antiquity,  down  to  the  novels  of 
Miss  Bremer  and  Baroness  Knorring,  the  prose  and  poetic  writings  of  Denmark, 
Norway,  Sweden,  and  Iceland  are  here  introduced  to  us  in  a  manner  at  once 
singularly  comprehensive  and  concise.  It  is  no  dry  enumeration  of  names,  but 
the  very  marrow  and  spirit  of  the  various  works  displayed  before  us.  We  have 
old  ballads  and  fairy  tales,  always  fascinating  ;  we  have  scenes  from  plays,  and 
selections  from  the  poets,  with  most  attractive  biographies  of  great  men.  The 
songs  and  ballads  are  translated  with  exquisite  poetic  beauty." — Sun. 

"  A  book  full  of  information — and  as  such,  a  welcome  addition  to  our  literature. 
The  translations — especially  of  some  of  the  ballads  and  other  poems — are  exe- 
cuted with  spirit  and  taste." — Athenceum. 


HISTORY   AND    BIOGRAPHY. 


MEMOIKS  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  OE 

MAJOR  GENERAL   SIR  W.  NOTT,    G.C.E., 

ENVOY  AT  THE  COURT  OF  LUCKNOW. 

EDITED    BY    J.    H.    STOCQUELEK,    ESQ., 

At  the  request  of  the  Daughters  of  the  late  General,  from  Private  Papers  and 
Official  Documents  in  their  possession.     2  vols.  8vo.,  with  Portrait. 


MILITARY  LIEE   IN   ALGERIA. 

BY  THE  COUHT  P.  DE  CASTELLANE.    2  vols.  21s. 

"  "We  commend  this  book  as  really  worth  perusal.  The  volumes  make  us 
familiai'ly  acquainted  with  the  nature  of  Algerian  experience.  Changarnier, 
Cavaignac,  Canrobert,  Lamoriciere,  and  St.  Arnaud  are  bron-'  t  prominently 
before  the  reader." — Examine?: 

"  These  volumes  will  be  read  with  extraordinai-y  interest.  The  vivid  manner 
in  which  the  author  narrates  his  adventures,  and  the  number  of  personal  anecdotes 
that  he  tells,  engage  the  reader's  attention  in  an  extraordinary  manner." — 
Sunday  limes. 

AUTOBIOGRAPHY    OF 

AN    ENGLISH     SOLDIER 

IN  THE  UNITED  STATES'  ARI^IT.     2  vols.  21s. 

"  The  novelty  characterising  these  interesting  volumes  is  likely  to  secure  them 
many  readers.  In  the  lirst  place,  an  account  of  the  internal  organization,  the 
manners  and  customs  of  the  United  States'  Federal  Army,  is  in  itself,  a  novelty, 
and  a  still  greater  novelty  is  to  have  this  account  rendered  by  a  man  who  had 
served  in  the  English  before  joining  the  American  army,  and  who  can  give  his 
report  after  having  every  opportunity  of  comparison.  The  author  went  through 
the  Mexican  campaign  v.ith  General  Scott,  and  his  volumes  contain  much  descrip- 
tive matter  concerning  battles,  sieges,  and  marches  on  Mexican  territory,  besides 
their  sketches  of  the  normal  chronic  condition  of  a  United  States'  soldier  iu  time  of 
peace." — Baili/  Neivs. 

HISTORY    OF    THE 

BRITISH    CONQUESTS    IN    INDIA. 

BY  HOBACE  ST.  JOHN.    2  vols.    21s. 

"  A  work  of  great  and  permanent  historical  value  and  interest." — Post. 

"  The  style  is  graphic  and  spirited.  The  facts  are  well  related  and  artistically 
grouped.     The  narrative  is  always  readable  and  interesting." — Athenceum. 


HISTORY    OF    CORED; 

AND   OF   THE   REPUBLIC  OF   THE   IONIAN   ISLANDS. 

BY  LIEUT.  H.  J.  ■W.  JERVIS,  Eoyal  AxtiUery.    1  vol.  ICs.  6d. 

"  Written  with   great   care  and    research,    and  including   probably   all   the 
particulars  of  any  moment  iu  the  history  of  Corfu." — Athenaum. 


8  HURST    AND    BLACKETT's    NEW    PUBLICATIONS. 


CLASSIC   AND   HISTORIC   PORTEAITS, 

BY  JAMES   BKUCE.    2  vols.  21s. 

This  woik  comprises  Biographies  of  the  following  Classic  and  Historic  Per- 
sonages :— Sappho,  ^sop,  Pythagoras,  Aspasia,  Milto,  Agesilaiis,  Socrates,  Plato, 
Alcibiades,  Helen  of  Troy,  Alexander  the  Great,  Demetrius  Poliorcetes,  Scipio 
Africanus,  Sylla,  Cleopatra,  Julius  Caesar,  Augustus,  Tiberius,  Germanicus, 
Caligula,  Lollia  Paulina,  Cajsonia,  Boadicea,  Agrippina,  Poppjea,  Otho,  Com- 
modus,  Caracalla,  Heliogabalus,  Zenobia,  Julian  the  Apostate,  Eudocia,  Theodora, 
Charlemagne,  Abelard  and  Heloise,  Elizabeth  of  Hungary,  Dante,  Robert  Bruce| 
Ignez  de  Castro,  Agnes  Sorel,  Jane  Shore,  Lucrezia  Borgia,  Anne  Bullen,  Diana 
of  Poitiers,  Catherine  de  Medicis,  Queen  EHzabeth,  Mary  Queen  of  Scots, 
Cervantes,  Sir  Kenelm  Digby,  John  Sobieski,  Anne  of  Austria,  Ninon  de 
I'Enclos,  Mile,  de  Montpensier,  the  Duchess  of  Orleans,  Madame  de  Maintenon, 
Catharine  of  Russia,  and  Madame  de  Stael. 

"A  Book  which  has  many  merits,  most  of  all,  that  of  a  fresh  and  unhacknied 
subject.  The  volumes  are  the  result  of  a  good  deal  of  reading,  and  have  besides 
an  original  spirit  and  flavour  about  them,  which  have  pleased  us  much.  Mr. 
Bruce  is  often  eloquent,  often  humorous,  and  has  a  proper  appreciation  of  the 
wit  and  sarcasm  belonging  in  abundance  to  his  theme.  The  variety  and  amount 
of  information  scattered  through  his  volumes  entitle  them  to  be  generally  read, 
and  to  be  received  on  all  hands  with  merited  favour." — Examiner. 

"  We  find  in  these  piquant  volumes  the  liberal  outpourings  of  a  ripe  scholarship, 
the  results  of  wide  and  various  reading,  given  in  a  style  and  manner  at  once  plea- 
sant, gossippy  and  picturesque." — Athenceum. 

"  A  series  of  biographical  sketches,  remarkable  for  their  truth  and  fidelity.  The 
work  is  one  which  will  please  the  classical  scholar  and  the  student  of  histoiy, 
while  it  also  contains  entertaining  and  instructive  matter  for  the  general  reader." 
— Literary  Gazette. 

RULE    AND    MISRULE    OF 

THE    ENGLISH    IN    AMERICA. 

BY  THE  AUTHOR  OF  "  SAM   SLICK,"   2  vols.   21s. 

"  We  conceive  this  work  to  be  by  far  the  most  valuable  and  important  Judge 
Haliburton  has  ever  written.  While  teeming  with  interest,  mor^l  and  historical, 
to  the  general  reader,  it  equally  constitutes  a  philosophical  study  for  the  politician 
and  statesman.  It  will  be  found  to  let  in  a  flood  of  light  upon  the  actual  origin, 
formation,  and  progress  of  the  republic  of  the  United  States." — N.  and  M.  Gaz. ' 

THE  SONG  OF  EOLAND, 

AS  CHANTED   BEFORE   THE  BATTLE  OF  HASTINGS, 

BY  THE  MINSTREL  TAILLEFER. 

TRANSLATED  BY  THE  AUTHOR  OP    "EMILIA   WYNDHAM." 

Small  4to.,  handsomely  bound,  gilt  edges,  5s. 

"'The  Song  of  Roland'  is  well  worth  general  perusal.  It  is  spirited  and 
descriptive,  and  gives  an  important,  and,  no  doubt,  faithful  picture  of  the  chivalric 
manners  and  feelings  of  the  age." — Herald. 


HISTORY   AND    BIOGRAPHY.  9 

THE  JOUENALS  AND  CORKESPONDENCE  OF 

GENERAL    SIR   HAlillT    CALVERT, 

BART.,  G.C.B.  and  G.C.H., 

ADJUTANT-GENERAL  OF  THE  FORCES  UNDER  H.R.H.  THE  DUKE  OF  YORK. 

COMPRISING   THE    CAMPAIGNS    IN    FLANDERS    AND    HOLLAND    IN    1-93-94; 

WITH  AN  APPENDIX  CONTAINING  HIS 

PLANS  FOR  THE  DEFENCE  OF  THE  COUNTRY  IN  CASE  OF  INYASION. 

EDITED     BY    HIS     SON,     SIB     HABEY    VEBWEY,     BABT. 

1  vol.  royal  8vo.,  with  large  maps,  14s.  bound. 

"  Both  the  journals  and  letters  of  Capt.  Calvert  are  full  of  interest.  The 
letters,  in  particular,  are  entitled  to  much  praise.  Not  too  long,  easy,  graceful, 
not  without  wit,  and  everywhere  marked  by  good  sense  and  good  taste — the 
series  addressed  by  Capt.  Calvert  to  his  sister  are  literary  compositions  of  no 
common  order.  With  the  best  means  of  observing  the  progress  of  the  war,  and 
with  his  faculties  of  judgment  exercised  and  strengthened  by  experience — a  quick 
eye,  a  placid  temper,  and  a  natural  aptitude  for  language  rendered  Capt.  Calvert 
in  many  respects  a  model  of  a  military  critic.  Sir  Harry  Verney  has  performed 
his  duties  of  editor  very  well.  The  book  is  creditable  to  all  parties  concerned  in 
its  production." — AthetKEum. 


COLONEL  LANDMANN'S  ADVENTURES 

AND  RECOLLECTIONS.     2  vols.  21s. 

"Among  the  anecdotes  in  this  work  will  be  found  notices  of  King  George  III., 
the  Dukes  of  Kent,  Cumberland,  Cambridge,  Clarence,  and  Richmond,  the  Princess 
Augusta,  General  Garth,  Sir  Harry  Mildmay,  Lord  Charles  Somerset,  Lord  Edward 
Fitzgerald,  Lord  Heathtield,  Captain  Grose,  &c.  The  volumes  abound  iu  inte- 
resting matter.      The  anecdotes  are  one  and  all  amusing." — Observer. 

"These  'Adventures  and  Recollections'  are  those  of  a  gentleman  whose  birth 
and  profession  gave  him  facilities  of  access  to  distinguished  society.  Colonel 
Landmann  writes  so  agreeably  that  we  have  little  doubt  that  his  volumes  will  be 
acceptable." — AthencEum. 

ADVENTURES  OF 

THE    CON  NAUGHT    RANGERS. 

SECOND    SEKIES. 
BY   •WILLIAM   GBATTAW,    ESQ,., 

LATE     LIEUTENANT     CONNAUGHT     RANGERS.        2    VOls.    21s. 

"  In  this  second  series  of  the  adventures  of  this  famous  regiment,  the  author 
extends  his  nan-ative  from  the  first  formation  of  the  gallant  88th  up  to  the 
occupation  of  Paris.  All  the  battles,  sieges,  and  skirmishes,  in  which  the  regi- 
ment took  part,  are  described.  The  volumes  are  interwoven  with  original  anec- 
dotes that  give  a  freshness  and  spirit  to  the  whole.  The  stories,  and  the  sketches 
of  society  and  manners,  with  the  anecdotes  of  the  celebrities  of  the  time,  are  told 
in  an  agreeable  and  unaffected  manner.  The  work  bears  all  the  characteristics 
of  a  soldier's  straightforward  and  entertaining  narrative." — Sunday  Times. 


10         HURST   AND    BLA.CKETT's   NEW   PUBLICATIONS. 

THE    MAliVELS    OF     SCIENCE, 

AND  THEIR  TESTIMONY  TO  HOLY  WRIT  ; 

A  POPULAR  MANUAL  OF  THE  SCIENCES. 

BY     S.     -W.     FTJLIiOM,     ESQ'. 

DEDICATED    BY    PERMISSION    TO    THE    KING    OF    HANOVER. 

Seventh  Edition,  with  Numerous  Illustrations.     Post  8vo.     7s.  6d. 

"  This  work  treats  of  the  whole  origin  of  nature  in  an  intelligent  style ;  it  puts 
into  the  hands  of  every  man  the  means  of  information  on  facts  the  most  sublime, 
and  converts  into  interesting  and  eloquent  description  problems  which  once 
perplexed  the  whole  genius  of  mankind.  We  congratulate  the  author  on  his 
research,  his  information,  and  his  graceful  and  happy  language." — Britannia. 

"  The  skill  displayed  in  the  treatment  of  the  sciences  is  not  the  least  marvel  in 
the  volume.  The  reasonings  of  the  author  are  forcible,  fluently  expressed,  and 
calculated  to  make  a  deep  impression.  Genuine  service  has  been  done  to  the 
cause  of  Revelation  by  the  issue  of  such  a  book,  which  is  more  than  a  mere 
literary  triumph.     It  is  a  good  action." — Globe. 

"  Its  tone  is  grave,  grand,  and  argumentative,  and  rises  to  the  majesty  of  poetry. 
As  a  commentary  upon  the  stupendous  facts  which  exist  in  the  universe,  it  is 
truly  a  work  which  merits  our  admiration,  and  we  unhesitatingly  refer  our  readers 
to  its  fascinating  pages." — Dispatch. 

"Without  parading  the  elaborate  nature  of  his  personal  investigations,  the 
author  has  laid  hold  of  the  discoveries  in  every  department  of  natural  science  in 
a  manner  to  be  apprehended  by  the  meanest  understanding,  but  which  will  at  the 
same  time  command  the  attention  of  the  scholar." — Messenger. 

"A  grand  tour  of  the  sciences.  Mr.  Fullom  starts  from  the  Sun,  runs  round 
by  the  Planets,  noticing  Comets  as  he  goes,  and  puts  up  for  a  rest  at  the  Central 
Sun.  He  gets  into  the  Milky  Way,  which  brings  him  to  the  Fixed  Stars  and 
Nebulse.  He  munches  the  crust  of  the  Earth,  and  looks  over  Fossil  Animals  and 
Plants.  This  is  follovred  by  a  disquisition  on  the  science  of  the  Scriptures.  He 
then  comes  back  to  the  origin  of  the  Earth,  visits  the  Magnetic  Poles,  gets 
among  Thunder  and  Lightning,  makes  the  acquaintance  of  Magnetism  and  Elec- 
tricity, dips  into  Rivers,  draws  science  from  Springs,  goes  into  Volcanoes,  through 
which  he  is  drawn  into  a  knot  of  Earthquakes,  comes  to  the  surface  with  Gaseous 
Emanations,  and  sliding  down  a  Landslip,  renews  his  journey  on  a  ray  of  Light, 
goes  through  a  Prism,  sees  a  Mirage,  meets  with  the  Flying  Dutchman,  observes 
an  Optical  Illusion,  steps  over  the  Rainbow,  enjoys  a  dance  with  the  Northern 
Aurora,  takes  a  little  Polarized  Light,  boils  some  Water,  sets  a  Steam-Engine  in 
motion,  witnesses  the  expansion  of  Metals,  looks  at  the  Thermometer,  and 
refreshes  himself  with  Ice.  Soon  he  is  at  Sea,  examining  the  Tides,  tumbling 
on  the  Waves,  swimming,  diving,  and  ascertaining  the  pressure  of  Fluids.  We 
ji^oot.  i.;.v,  ^lovt  in  ihe.  Ajr,  running  througii  all  its  properties.  Having  remarked 
on  the  propagation  of  Sounds,  he  pauses  for  a  bit  of  Music,  and  goes  off  into  the 
Vegetable  Kingdom,  then  travels  through  the  Animal  Kingdom,  and  having 
visited  the  various  races  of  the  human  family,  winds  up  with  a  demonstration  of 
the  Anatomy  of  Man." — Examiner. 


VOYAGES    AND    TRAVELS.  11 


NARRATIVE    OF    A 

JOURNEY   ROUND   THE   WORLD 

COMPRISING 

A  WINTER  PASSAGE   ACROSS   THE   ANDES   TO   CHILI, 

WITH    A    VISIT   TO    THE    GOLD    REGIONS    OF    CALIFORNIA    AND    AUSTRALIA, 
THE  SOUTH  SEA  ISLANDS,  JAVA,  &C. 

BY     P.      GEKSTAECEIEE. 
3  vols,  post  8vo.     31s.  6d. 

"  Starting-  from  Bremen  for  California,  the  author  of  this  Narrative  proceeded 
to  Rio,  and  thence  to  Buenos  Ayres,  where  he  exchanged  the  wild  seas  for  the 
yet  wilder  Pampas,  and  made  his  way  on  horsehack  to  Valparaiso  across  the 
Cordilleras — a  winter  passage  full  of  difficulty  and  danger.  From  Valparaiso 
he  sailed  to  California,  and  visited  San  Francisco,  Sacramento,  and  the  mining 
districts  generally.  Thence  he  steered  his  course  to  the  South  Sea  Islands, 
resting  at  Honolulu,  Tahiti,  and  other  gems  of  the  sea  in  that  quarter,  and  from 
thence  to  Sydney,  marching  through  the  Murray  Valley,  and  inspecting  the 
Adelaide  district.  From  Australia  he  dashed  onward  to  Java,  riding  through  the 
interior,  and  taking  a  general  survey  of  Batavia,  with  a  glance  at  Japan  and  the 
Japanese.  An  active,  intelligent,  observant  man,  the  notes  he  made  of  his  adven- 
tures are  full  of  variety  and  interest.  His  descriptions  of  places  and  persons  are 
lively,  and  his  remarks  on  natural  productions  and  the  phenomena  of  earth,  sea, 
and  sky  are  always  sensible,  and  made  with  a  view  to  practical  results.  Those 
portions  of  the  Narrative  which  refer  to  California  and  Australia  are  replete  with 
vivid  sketches  ;  and  indeed  the  whole  work  abounds  with  living  and  picturesque 
descriptions  of  men,  manners,  and  localities." — Globe, 

"  The  author  of  this  comprehensive  narrative  embarked  at  Bremen  for  Cali- 
fornia, and  then  took  ship  to  the  South  Sea  Islands,  of  which  and  of  tlieir  inhabit- 
ants we  have  some  pleasant  sketches.  From  the  South  Sea  Islands  he  sailed  to 
Australia,  where  he  effected  a  very  daring  and  adventurous  journey  by  himself 
through  the  Murray  Valley  to  Adelaide.  He  then  proceeded  to  Java,  the  interior 
of  which  he  explored  to  a  considerable  distance.  Before  he  departed  for  Europe, 
he  remained  some  time  at  Batavia,  and  was  so  fortunate  as  to  witness  the  arrival 
of  the  Japanese  vessel  bringing  her  annual  cargo  of  goods  from  Japan.  Inde- 
pendently of  great  variety — for  these  pages  are  never  monotonous  or  dull — a 
pleasant  freshness  pervades  Mr.  Gerstaecker's  chequered  nan-ative.  It  offers  much 
to  intei-est,  and  conveys  much  valuable  information,  set  forth  in  a  very  lucid  and 
graphic  manner." — Athenceum. 

"  These  travels  consisted  principally  in  a  '  winter  passage  across  the  Andes  to 
Chili,  with  a  visit  to  the  gold  regions  of  California  and  Australia,  the  South  Sea 
Islands,  Java,  &c.'  In  the  present  state  of  things  and  position  of  affairs,  no  more 
desirable  book  can  be  imagined.  It  carries  us  at  once  to  the  centre  of  attractions 
— it  conveys  us  to  the  land  of  promise  to  expectant  thousands.  We  behold,  face 
to  face,  the  mighty  regions  where  so  many  of  our  countrymen  have  gone,  that 
it  seems  almost  a  second  home.  We  are  informed,  in  minute  details  of  the  life 
that  is  led  there.  There  is  no  false  glitter  thrown  over  the  accounts  ;  the  author 
evidently  strives  to  raise  no  false  hopes,  and  excite  no  unreasonable  expectations. 
The  accounts  given  of  California  are  particularly  explicit.  The  description  of 
Sydney  during  the  excitement  prevailing  on  the  discovery  of  new  mines  is  very 
interesting. ' ' — Sun. 


12  HURST   AND    BLACKETT's    NEW    PUBLICATIONS. 

AUSTRALIA     AS     IT     IS: 

ITS  SETTLEMENTS,  FARMS,  AND  GOLD  FIELDS. 
BY   F.   LANCELOTT,   ESQ., 

MINERALOGICAL    SURVEYOR    IN    THE    AUSTRALIAN     COLONIES. 

Second  Edition,  revised.     2  vols,  post  8vo.  2 Is. 

"  This  is  an  unadorned  account  of  the  actual  condition  in  which  these  colonies 
are  found  hy  a  professional  surveyor  and  mineralogist,  who  goes  over  the  ground 
■with  a  careful  glance  and  a  remarkable  aptitude  for  seizing  on  the  practical  por- 
tions of  the  subject.  On  the  climate,  the  vegetation,  and  the  agricultural 
resources  of  the  country,  he  is  copious  in  the  extreme,  and  to  the  intending 
emigrant  an  invaluable  instructor.  As  may  be  expected  from  a  scientific  hand, 
the  subject  of  gold  digging  undergoes  a  thorough  manipulation.  Mr.  Lancelott 
dwells  with  minuteness  on  the  several  indications,  stratifications,  varieties  of  soil, 
and  methods  of  working,  experience  has  pointed  out,  and  offers  a  perfect  manual 
of  the  new  craft  to  the  adventurous  settler.  Nor  has  he  neglected  to  provide 
him  with  information  as  to  the  sea  voyage  and  all  its  accessories,  the  commodities 
most  in  request  at  the  antipodes,  and  a  general  view  of  social  wants,  family 
management,  &c.,  such  as  a  shrewd  and  observant  counsellor,  aided  hy  old 
resident  authorities,  can  afford.  As  a  guide  to  the  auriferous  regions,  as  well  as 
the  pastoral  solitudes  of  Australia,  the  work  is  unsurpassed." — Globe. 

"  This  is  the  best  book  on  the  new  El  Dorado ;  the  best,  not  only  in  respect  to 
matter,  style,  and  arrangement,  in  all  of  which  merits  it  excels,  but  eminently 
the  best  because  the  latest,  and  the  work  of  a  man  professionally  conversant  with 
those  circumstances  which  are  charming  hundreds  of  thousands  annually  to  the 
great  Southern  Continent.  The  last  twenty  years  have  been  prolific  of  works 
upon  Australia,  but  they  are  all  now  obsolete.  Every  one  who  takes  an  interest 
in  Australia  would  do  well  to  possess  himself  of  Mr.  Lancelott's  work,  which 
teUs  everything  of  the  social  state,  of  the  physiology,  and  the  precious  mineralogy 
of  the  gold  country." — Standard. 

"  We  advise  all  about  to  emigrate  to  take  this  book  as  a  counsellor  and  com- 
panion."— Lloyd's  Weekly  Paper. 


A  LADY'S  VISIT  TO  THE  GOLD  DIGGINGS 

OF   AUSTRALIA   IN    1852-3. 

BY  MBS.  CHARLES  CLACY.     1  vol.     10s.  6d. 

"  The  most  pithy  and  entertaining  of  all  the  books  that  have  been  written  on 
the  gold  diggings." — Literary  Gazette. 

"  Mrs.  Clacy's  book  will  be  read  with  considerable  interest,  and  not  without 
profit.  Her  statements  and  advice  will  be  most  useful  among  her  own  sex." — 
Athen<Euin. 

"  Mrs.  Clacy  tells  her  storj'  well.     Iler  book  is  the  most  graphic  account  of  the 
diggings  and  the  gold  country  in  general  that  is  to  be  had."— Z)«2'/y  News. 
"  One  of  the  best  guides  to  Austrahan  emigrants  yet  issued." — Messenger. 
"  We  recommend  this  work  as  the  emigrant's  vade  mecum." — Home  Companion. 


VOYAGES    AND    TRAVELS.  13 


A     SKETCHEE'S     TOUR 

ROUND    THE    WORLD. 

BY      ROBERT      ELWES,      ESQ. 

Second  Edittok,  1  vol.  royal  8vo.,  with  21  Coloured  Illustrations  from  Original 
Designs  by  the  Author.     21s.  elegantly  bound,  gilt  edges. 

"  Combining  in  itself  the  best  qualities  of  a  library  volume,  vrith  that  of  a  gift- 
book,  is  Mr.  Elwes'  '  Sketcher's  Tour.'  It  is  an  unaffected,  well-written  record 
of  a  tour  of  some  36,000  miles,  and  is  accompanied  by  a  number  of  very  beautiful 
tinted  Uthographs,  executed  by  the  author.  These,  as  well  as  the  hterary 
sketches  in  the  volume,  deal  most  largely  with  Southern  and  Spanish  America, — 
whence  the  reader  is  afterwards  taken  by  Lima  to  the  Sandwich  Islands,  is  carried 
to  and  fro  among  the  strange  and  exciting  scenes  of  the  Pacific, — thence  sails  to 
the  Austrahan  coast, — passes  to  China, — afterwards  to  Singapore  and  Bombay, — 
and  so  home  by  Egypt  and  Italy.  The  book  is  pleasantly  written  throughout, 
and  with  the  picturesque  variety  that  cannot  but  belong  to  the  description  of  a 
succession  of  such  scenes,  is  also  full  of  interesting  and  instructive  remarks." — 
Examiner. 

"  This  is  a  dehghtful  book.  Mr.  Elwes,  in  his  Tour  through  America,  Aus- 
tralia, India,  China,  Turkey,  Egypt,  and  Europe,  has  chosen  the  grandest  and  the 
most  beautiful  scenery  for  the  exercise  of  his  pencil.  To  the  illustrations  he  has 
added  descriptions  so  vivid  that  his  pen  makes  the  work  of  the  pencil  almost 
unnecessary.  It  is  hard  to  say  to  what  class  of  works  the  book  must  be  assigned. 
The  beauty  of  the  engravings,  and  the  handsome  getting-up,  make  it  an  extremely 
elegant  book  for  the  table  of  the  drawing-room.  The  abundance  of  hvely 
remarks  and  anecdotes,  and  the  extent  and  variety  of  information,  make  it  an 
equally  admirable  book  of  learning  and  amusement." — Standard. 

"  The  garment  in  which  this  book  comes  forth  seems  to  point  out  the  drawing- 
room  table  as  its  place  of  destination.  The  nature  of  its  contents — cheerful, 
lively  letter-press — will  assure  it  a  ready  welcome  there.  Yet  it  is  not,  therefore, 
ineligible  for  the  library  shelf— even  for  that  shelf  which  is  devoted  to  '  Voyages 
Round  the  World.'  Pleasanter  reading,  we  repeat,  need  not  be  offered  than  our 
sketcher  brings." — JthencEum. 

"  In  evei-y  respect  a  most  charming  volume,  abounding  with  exquisite  coloured 
engravings — an  elegant  gift-book  for  the  season." — Messenger. 


I 


A    TOUR    OE    INQUIRY 

THROUGH  FRANCE  AND  ITALY, 

ILLUSTEATING  THEIR  PEKSENT 

SOCIAL,    POLITICAL,   AND    RELIGIOUS   CONDITION. 

BY  EDMUND   SPEWCER,  ESQ., 

Author  of  "  Travels  in  European  Turkey,"  "  Circassia,"  &c.     2  vols.  2Is. 

"  Mr.  Spencer  has  travelled  through  France  and  Italy,  with  the  eyes  and  feelings 
of  a  Protestant  philosopher.  His  volumes  contain  much  valuable  matter,  many 
judicious  remarks,  and  a  great  deal  of  useful  information." — Morning  Chro- 
nicle. 


14         HURST   AND    BLACKETT  S    NEW    PUBLICATIONS 


TRAVELS  m  EUROPEAN  TURKEY : 

THROUGH  BOSNIA,  SERVIA,  BULGARIA,   MACEDONIA,    ROUMELIA,  ALBANIA,   AND 
EPIRUS;    WITH  A  VISIT  TO  GREECE  AND  THE  IONIAN  ISLES,    AND  A  HOME- 
WARD TOUR  THROUGH    HUNGARY   AND   THE    SCLAVONIAN    PROVINCES 
OF  AUSTRIA  ON  THE  LOWER  DANUBE. 

BY    EDMiriSTD     SPENCER,    ESQ,., 

Author  of  "  Travels  in  Circassia,"  &c. 

Second  and  Cheaper  Edition,  in  2  vols.  8vo.  with  Illustrations,  and  a  valuable 

Map  of  European  Turkey,  from  the  most  recent  Charts  in  the  possession  of 

the  Austrian  and  Turkish  Governments,  revised  by  the  Author,  18s. 

"  These  important  volumes  appear  at  an  opportune  moment,  as  they  describe 
some  of  those  countries  to  Avhich  public  attention  is  now  more  particularly 
directed :  Turkey,  Greece,  Hungary,  and  Austria.  The  author  has  given  us  a 
most  interesting  picture  of  the  Turkish  Empire,  its  weaknesses,  and  the  em- 
barrassments from  which  it  is  now  suffering,  its  financial  difficulties,  the  discon- 
tent of  its  Christian,  and  the  turbulence  of  a  great  portion  of  its  Mohammedan 
subjects.  We  are  also  introduced  for  the  first  time  to  the  warlike  mountaineers 
of  Bosnia,  Albania,  Upper  Moesia,  and  the  almost  inaccessible  districts  of  the 
Pindus  and  the  Balkan.  The  different  nationalities  of  that  Babel-like  country, 
Turkey  in  Europe,  inhabited  by  Sclavonians,  Greeks,  Albanians,  Macedonians, 
the  Komani  and  Osmanli — their  various  characteristics,  religions,  superstitions, 
together  with  their  singular  customs  and  manners,  their  ancient  and  contem- 
porary history  are  vividly  described.  The  Ionian  Islands,  Greece,  Hungary,  and 
the  Sclavonian  Provinces  of  Austria  on  the  Lower  Danube,  are  all  delineated  in 
the  author's  happiest  manner.  We  cordially  recommend  Mr.  Spencer's  valuable 
and  interesting  volumes  to  the  attention  of  the  reader." — U.  S.  Magazine. 

"  This  interesting  work  contains  by  far  the  most  complete,  the  most  en- 
lightened, and  the  most  reliable  amount  of  what  has  been  hitherto  almost  the 
terra  incognita  of  European  Turkey,  and  supplies  the  reader  with  abundance  of 
entertainment  as  well  as  instruction." — John  Bull. 


ARCTIC    MISCELLANIES, 

A  SOUVENIR  OF  THE  LATE  POLAR  SEARCH. 
BY   THE    OFFICERS   AITD    SEAMEN"   OF    THE  EXPEDITION. 

DEDICATED  BY  PERMISSION  TO  THE  LORDS  OF  THE  ADMIRALTY. 

Second  Edition.      1   vol.    with    numerous    Illustrations,    10s.    6d. 

From  the  "  Times." — This  volume  is  not  the  least  interesting  or  instructive 
among  the  records  of  the  late  expedition  in  search  of  Sir  John  Franklin,  com- 
manded by  Captain  Austin.  The  most  valuable  portions  of  the  book  are  those 
which  relate  to  the  scientific  and  practical  observations  made  in  the  course  of  the 
expedition,  and  the  descriptions  of  scenery  and  incidents  of  arctic  travel.  From 
the  variety  of  the  materials,  and  the  novelty  of  the  scenes  and  incidents  to  v?hich 
they  refer,  no  less  than  the  interest  which  attaches  to  all  that  relates  to  the 
probable  safety  of  Sir  John  Franklin  and  his  companions,  the  Arctic  Miscellanies 
forms  a  very  readable  book,  and  one  that  redounds  to  the  honour  of  the  national 
character. 


TOY AGES  AND  TRAVELS.  15 

THE    ANSYREEH     AND    ISMAELEEH: 

A  VISIT  TO  THE  SECRET  SECTS  OF  NORTHERN  SYRIA, 

WITH   A   VIEW   TO    THE    ESTABLISHMENT    OF   SCHOOLS. 

BY"   THE   REV.   S.   LYDE,   M.A., 

Late  Chaplain  at  Beyrout.     1  vol.  10s.  6d. 

"  Mr.  Lj'de's  pages  furnish  a  very  good  illustration  of  the  present  state  of  some 
of  the  least  known  parts  of  Syria.  Mr.  Lyde  visited  the  most  important  districts 
of  the  Ans}Teeh,  lived  with  them,  and  conversed  with  their  sheiks  or  chief  men. 
The  practical  aim  of  the  author  gives  his  volumes  an  interest  which  works  of 
greater  pretension  want." — AthencBum. 

"  By  far  the  best  account  of  the  country  and  the  people  that  has  been  presented 
by  any  traveller." — Critic. 


TRAVELS    IN    INDIA   AND   KASHMIR. 

BY  BAEOlvT  SCHOUBEBGI-.    2  vols,  21s. 

"  This  account  of  a  Journey  through  India  and  Kashmir  will  be  read  with 
considerable  interest.  Whatever  came  in  his  way  worthy  of  record  the  author 
committed  to  writing,  and  the  result  is  an  entertaining  and  instructive  miscellany 
of  information  on  the  country,  its  climate,  its  natural  productions,  its  history  and 
antiquities,  and  the  character,  the  religion,  and  the  social  condition  of  its  inhabi- 
tants. The  remarks  on  these  various  topics  possess  additional  interest  as  the 
author  views  India  and  our  rule  over  that  country  with  the  eye  of  an  impartial 
observer." — John  Bull. 


KHARTOUM  AND   THE   NILES. 

BY    GEOBGE   MELIiY^,  ESQ. 

Second  Edition.     2  v.  post  8vo.,  Avith  Map  and  Illustrations,  21s. 

"  Mr.  Melly  is  of  the  same  school  of  travel  as  the  author  of  '  Eothen.'  His 
book  altogether  is  veiy  agreeable,  comprising,  besides  the  description  of  Khartoum, 
many  intelligent  illustrations  of  the  relations  now  subsisting  between  the  Govern- 
ments of  the  Sultan  and  the  Pacha,  and  exceedingly  graphic  sketches  of  Cairo, 
the  Pyramids,  the  Plain  of  Thebes,  the  Cataracts,  &c." — Examiner. 


ATLANTIC  &  TRANSATLANTIC  SKETCHES. 

BY  CAPTAIlsr  MACKIK"]SrOISr,  R,]Sr.     2  vols.  21s. 

"  Captain  Mackinnon's  sketches  of  America  are  of  a  striking  character  and 
permanent  value.  His  volumes  convey  a  just  impression  of  the  United  States,  a 
fair  and  candid  view  of  their  society  and  institutions,  so  well  written  and  so 
entertaining  that  the  eifect  of  their  perusal  on  the  public  here  must  be  con- 
siderable. They  are  light,  animated,  and  lively,  full  of  racy  sketches,  pictures  of 
life,  anecdotes  of  society,  visits  to  remarkable  men  and  famous  places,  sporting 
episodes,  &c.,  very  original  and  interesting." — Sunday  Times. 


16  HURST   AND    BLACKETT's    NEW    PUBLICATIONS. 


REVELATIONS   OE    SIBEEIA. 

BY  A  BANISHED   LADY. 
Third  and  Cheaper  Edition.       2    vols.    16s. 

"  A  thoroughly  good  book.  It  cannot  be  read  by  too  many  people." — Dickens's 
Household  Words. 

"  The  authoress  of  these  volumes  was  a  lady  of  quality,  who,  having  incurred 
the  displeasure  of  the  Russian  Goveinnient  for  a  political  offence,  was  exiled  to 
Siberia.  The  place  of  her  exile  was  Berezor,  the  most  northern  part  of  this 
northern  penal  settlement ;  and  in  it  she  spent  about  two  years,  not  unprofitably, 
as  the  reader  will  find  by  her  interesting  work,  containing  a  lively  and  graphic 
picture  of  the  country,  the  people,  their  manners  and  customs,  &c.  The  book 
gives  a  most  important  and  valuable  insight  into  the  economy  of  what  has  been 
hitherto  the  terra  incognita  of  Russian  de3potism." — Daily  News. 

"  Since  the  publication  of  the  famous  romance  the  '  Exiles  of  Siberia,'  of 
Madame  Cottin,  we  have  had  no  account  of  these  desolate  lands  more  attractive 
than  the  present  work,  from  the  pen  of  the  Lady  Eve  Felinska,  which,  in  its  un- 
pretending style  and  truthful  simplicity,  will  win  its  way  to  the  reader's  heart, 
and  compel  him  to  sympathise  vtith  the  fair  sufferer.  The  scries  of  hardships 
endured  in  traversing  these  frozen  solitudes  is  affectingly  told ;  and  once  settled 
down  at  one  of  the  most  northern  points  of  the  convict  territory,  Berezov,  six 
hundred  miles  beyond  Tobolsk,  the  Author  exhibits  an  observant  eye  fou  the 
natural  phenomena  of  those  latitudes,  as  well  as  the  habits  of  the  semi-barbarous 
aborigines.  This  portion  of  the  book  will  be  found  by  the  naturalist  as  well  as 
ethnologist  full  of  valuable  information." — Globe. 

"  These  '  Revelations'  give  us  a  novel  and  interesting  sketch  of  Siberian  life — the 

habits,  morals,  manners,  religious  tenets,  rites,  and  festivals  of  the  inhabitants.  The 

writer's  extraordinary  powers  of  observation,  and  the  graceful  facility  with  which 

s    edescribes  everything  worthy  of  remark,  render  her  '  Revelations'  as  attractive 

cfascinating  as  they  are  original  and  instructive." — Britannia, 


EOREST    LIEE    IN    CEYLON. 

BY    -W.    KNIGHTON,    M.A., 

^Drmerly  Secretaiy  to  the  Ceylon  Branch  Royal  Asiatic  Society,   2  vols.  21s. 

"  A  very  clever  and  amusing  book,  by  one  who  has  lived  as  a  planter  and 
journahst  many  years  in  Ceylon.  The  work  is  filled  with  interesting  accounts  of 
the  sports,  resources,  productions,  scenery,  and  traditions  of  the  island.  The 
sporting  adventures  are  narrated  in  a  very  spirited  manner." — Standard. 


EIGHT    YEARS 
IN  PALESTINE,  SYRIA,  AND  ASIA  MINOR. 

BY    F.    A.    NEAL,    E3Q,., 

LATE  ATTACHED  TO  THE  CONSULAR  SERVICE  IN  SYRIA. 

Second  Edition,  2  vols.,  with  Illustrations,  21s. 

"  A  very  agreeable  book.  Mr.  Neale  is  evidently  quite  familiar  with  the 
East,  and  writes  in  a  lively,  shrewd,  and  good-humoured  manner.  A  great 
deal  of  information  is  to  be  found  in  his  pages." — Athenceum. 


VOYAGES    AND    TRAVELS.  17 


TRAVELS   IN   BOLIVIA; 

WITH  A  TOUR  ACROSS  THE  PAMPAS  TO  BUENOS  AYRES,  &c. 
BY  L.  HUGH  DE  BONELLI. 

OF    HER    BRITANNIC    MAJESTy's    LEGATION.       2    TOls.    21 S. 


EIGHTEEN    YEARS    ON    THE 

GOLD    COAST    OF    AFRICA; 

INCLUDING  AN    ACCOUNT   OF   THE    NATIVE   TRIBES,   AND   THEIR 

INTERCOURSE  WITH  EUROPEANS. 

BY     EKODIE      CBUICKSH  AITB:, 

MEMBER    OF    THE    LEGISLATIVE    COUNCIL,    CAPE    COAST    CASTLE.     2  VOls.  21s. 

"  This  is  one  of  the  most  interesting  works  that  ever  yet  came  into  onr  hands. 
It  possesses  the  charm  of  introducing  us  to  habits  and  manners  of  the  human 
family  of  which  before  we  had  no  conception.  Before  reading  Mr.  Cruickshank's 
Tolumes  we  were  wholly  unaware  of  the  ignorance  of  all  Europeans,  as  to  the 
social  state  of  the  inhabitants  of  Western  Africa.  Mrs.  Beecher  Stowe's  work 
has,  indeed,  made  us  all  familiar  with  the  degree  of  intelligence  and  the  disposi- 
tions of  the  transplanted  African  ;  but  it  has  been  reserved  to  Mr.  Cruickshank 
to  exhibit  the  children  of  Ham  in  their  original  state,  and  to  prove,  as  his  work 
proves  to  demonstration,  that,  by  the  extension  of  a  knowledge  of  the  Gospel,  and 
by  that  only,  can  the  African  be  brought  within  the  pale  of  civilization.  We 
anxiously  desire  to  direct  pubhc  attention  to  a  work  so  valuable.  An  incidental 
episode  in  the  work  is  an  affecting  narrative  of  the  death  of  the  gifted  Letitia 
Elizabeth  Landon  (L.E.L.),  written  a  few  months  after  her  marriage  with 
Governor  Maclean.  It  relieves  the  memory  of  both  husband  and  wife  from  all 
the  vile  scandals  that  have  been  too  long  permitted  to  defile  their  story." — 
Standard. 

"  This  work  will  be  read  with  deep  interest,  and  will  give  a  fresh  impulse  to 
the  exertions  of  philanthropy  and  religion." — John  Bull. 


LIFE    IN    SWEDEN, 

WITH    EXCURSIONS    IN    NORWAY    AND    DENMARK. 
BY  SEIiIWA  BUNBUKY.    2  vols.  21s. 

"  The  author  of  this  clever  work  never  misses  a  lively  sketch.  Her  descriptions 
of  life  in  Sweden  and  Norway  are  all  piquant,  and  most  of  them  instructive, 
illustrating  northern  hfe  in  all  its  phases,  from  the  palace  to  the  cottage.  The 
work  is  well  calculated  to  excite  in  the  English  pubhc  a  desire  to  visit  scenes 
which  have  as  yet  been  exposed  to  the  view  of  few  travellers." — Daily  News. 

"  Two  dehglitful,  well-informed  volumes,  by  a  lady  of  much  acuteness,  hvely 
imagination,  and  shrewd  observance.  The  work  can  be  safely  recommended  to 
the  reader,  as  the  freshest,  and  most  certainly  the  truthfuUest  publication  upon 
the  North  that  has  of  late  years  been  given  to  the  world." — Observer. 


18  HURST   AND   BLACKETT's    NEW    PUBLICATIONS. 


NAURATIVE   OE   A 

FIVE  YEAUS'  EESIDENCE  AT  NEPAUL. 

by:  captain  thomas  smith. 

Late  Assistant  Political-Resident  at  Nepaul.     2  v.  post  8vo.  21s. 

"  No  man  could  be  better  qualified  to  describe  Nepaul  than  Captain  Smith ; 
and  his  concise,  but  clear  and  graphic  account  of  its  history,  its  natural  produc- 
tions, its  laws  and  customs,  and  the  character  of  its  warlike  inhabitants,  is  very 
agreeable  and  instructive  reading.  A  separate  chapter,  not  the  least  entertaining 
in  the  book,  is  devoted  to  anecdotes  of  the  Nepaulese  mission,  of  whom,  and  of 
their  visit  to  Europe,  many  remarkable  stories  are  told." — Post. 


CANADA  AS  IT  WAS,  IS,  AND  MAY  BE. 

By  the  late  Lieutenant-Colonel  Sir  R.  Bonnycastle. 

With  an  Account  of  Recent  Transactions, 

BY  SIR  J.  E.  ALEXANDER,  K.L.S.,  &c.    2  v.  with  Maps,  &c.  21s. 

"  These  volumes  offer  to  the  British  public  a  clear  and  trustworthy  statement 
of  the  affairs  of  Canada,  and  the  effects  of  the  immense  public  wo-rks  in  progress 
and  completed ;  with  sketches  of  localities  and  scenery,  amusing  anecdotes  of 
personal  observation,  and  generally  every  information  which  may  be  of  use  to  the 
traveller  or  settler,  and  the  military  and  political  reader.  The  information  ren- 
dered  is  to  be  thoroughly  relied  on  as  veracious,  full,  and  conclusive." — Mes- 
senger. 

FIVE   YEARS   IN   THE  WEST   INDIES. 

BY    CHARLES    "W.    DAT,    ESQ.     2  vols.  21s. 

"  It  would  be  unjust  to  deny  the  vigour,  brilliancy,  and  varied  interest  of  this 
work,  the  abundant  stores  of  anecdote  and  interest,  and  the  copious  detail  of 
local  habits  and  pecuUarities  in  each  island  visited  in  succession." — Globe. 


SCENES    FEOM    SCHIPTUEE. 

BY    THE    REV.    G.    CROLY,    LL.D.     10s.  6d. 

"  Eminent  in  every  mode  of  literature,  Dr.  Croly  stands,  in  our  judgment,  first 
among  the  living  poets  of  Great  Britain — the  only  man  of  our  day  entitled  by  his 
power  to  venture  within  the  sacred  circle  of  religious  poets." — Standard. 

"  An  admirable  addition  to  the  library  of  religious  families." — John  Bull. 


THE  AUTOBIOGEAPHY  OF  A  MISSIONAEY. 

BY    THE    REV.    J.    P.    FLETCHER, 

Curate  of  South  Hampstead.     Author  of  "  A  Residence  at  Nineveh."     2  v.  21s. 

"  A  graphic  sketch  of  missionary  life." — Examiner. 

"  We  conscientiously  recommend  this  book,  as  well  for  its  amusing  character 
as  for  the  spirit  it  displays  of  earnest  piety." — Standard. 


HURST   AND    BLACKETt's    NEW    PUBLICATIONS.  19 

PAMILY    liOMANCE; 

OR,  DOMESTIC  ANNALS  OE  THE  ARISTOCRACY. 
BY   SIB  BEENAED   BURKE,  Ulster  King  of  Arms.     2  vols.,  21s. 

Among  the  many  other  interesting  legends  and  romantic  family  histories  com- 
prised in  these  volumes,  will  he  found  the  following: — The  wonderful  narrative 
of  Maria  Stella,  Lady  Newhorough,  who  claimed  on  such  strong  evidence  to  be  a 
Princess  of  the  House  of  Orleans,  and  disputed  the  identity  of  Louis  Philippe — 
The  story  of  the  humble  marriage  of  the  beautiful  Countess  of  Strathmore,  and 
the  sufferings  and  fate  of  her  only  child — The  Leaders  of  Fashion,  from  Gramont 
to  D'Orsay — The  rise  of  the  celebrated  Baron  Ward,  now  Prime  Minister  at 
Parma — The  curious  claim  to  the  Earldom  of  Crawford — The  Strange  Vicissitudes 
of  our  Great  Families,  replete  with  the  most  romantic  details — The  story  of  the 
Kirkpatricks  of  Closeburn  (the  ancestors  of  the  French  Empress),  and  the  re- 
markable tradition  associated  with  them — The  Legend  of  the  Lambtons — The 
verification  in  our  own  time  of  the  famous  prediction  as  to  the  Earls  of  Mar — 
Lady  Ogilvy's  escape — The  Beresford  and  V."ynyard  ghost  stories,  correctly  told — 
&c.,  &c. 

"  It  were  impossible  to  praise  too  highly  as  a  work  of  amusement  these  two  most 
interesting  volumes,  whether  we  should  have  regard  to  its  excellent  plan  or  its 
not  less  excellent  execution.  The  volumes  are  just  what  ought  to  be  found  on 
every  drawing-room  table.  Here  you  have  nearly  fifty  captivating  romances,  with 
the  pith  of  all  their  interest  preserved  in  undiminished  poignancy,  and  any  one 
may  be  read  in  half  an  hour.  It  is  not  the  least  of  their  merits  that  the 
romances  are  founded  on  fact — or  what,  at  least,  has  been  handed  down  for  truth 
by  long  tradition — and  the  romance  of  reality  far  exceeds  the  romance  of  fiction. 
Each  story  is  told  in  the  clear,  unaffected  style  with  which  the  author's  former 
works  have  made  the  public  famihar,  while  they  afford  evidence  of  the  value, 
even  to  a  work  of  amusement,  of  that  historical  and  genealogical  learning  that 
may  justly  be  expected  of  the  author  of  '  The  Peerage.'  The  aristocracy  and 
gentry  owe,  indeed,  a  great  debt  to  ?^Ir.  Burke  as  their  family  historian." — 
Standard. 

"  The  very  reading  for  sea-side  or  fii'e-side  in  our  hours  of  idleness."' — Athe- 
nCEum. 


SPAIN     AS     IT     IS. 

BY     G-,    A.     HOSKIITS,     ESQ,.       2   vols.   21s. 

"  To  the  tourist  this  work  will  prove  invaluable.     It  is  the  most  complete  and 
interesting  portraiture  of  Spain  that  has  ever  come  under  our  notice." — John  Bull. 


NAVAL   AECHITECTUHE: 

A   TREATISE    ON    SHIP-BUILDING,    AND    THE    RIG    OF    CLIPPERS, 

WITH    SUGGESTIONS   FOR  A  NEW  METHOD  OF  LAYING   DOWN  VESSELS. 

BY   LOSD    EOBEET   MOWTAGU,   A.M. 

Second  Edition,  with  54  Diagrams.     6s. 

"  Lord  Montagu's  work  will  be  equally  valuable  to  the  ship-builder  and  the 
ship-owner — to  the  mariner  and  the  commander  of  yachts." — U.  S.  Magazine. 


20         HURST    AND    BLACKETT's    NEW    PUBLICATIONS. 

SAM    SLICK'S   WISE   SAWS 
AND  MODEM  INSTANCES; 

OR,  WHAT  HE   SAID,  DID,  OR  INVENTED. 

Second  Edition.  2  vols,  post  8vo.  21s. 

"  We  do  not  fear  to  predict  that  these  delightful  volumes  -will  be  the  most 
popular,  as,  beyond  doubt,  they  are  the  best  of  all  Judge  Haliburton's  admirable 
works.  The  '  Wise  Saws  and  Modern  Instances'  evince  powers  of  imagination 
and  expression  far  beyond  what  even  his  former  publications  could  lead  any  one 
to  ascribe  to  the  author.  We  have,  it  is  true,  long  been  familiar  with  his  quaint 
humour  and  racy  naiTative,  but  the  volumes  before  us  take  a  loftier  range,  and 
are  so  rich  in  fun  and  good  sense,  that  to  offer  an  extract  as  a  sample  would  be 
an  injustice  to  author  and  reader.  It  is  one  of  the  pleasantest  books  we  ever 
read,  and  we  earnestly  recommend  it." — Standard. 

"  Let  Sam  Slick  go  a  mackarel  fishing,  or  to  court  in  England — let  him  venture 
alone  among  a  tribe  of  the  sauciest  single  women  that  ever  banded  themselves 
together  in  electric  chain  to  turn  tables  or  to  mystify  man — our  hero  always 
manages  to  come  off  with  flying  colours — to  beat  every  craftsman  in  the  cunning 
of  his  own  calling — to  get  at  the  heart  of  every  maid's  and  matron's  secret. 
The  book  before  us  will  be  read  and  laughed  over.  Its  quaint  and  racy  dialect 
will  please  some  readers — its  abundance  of  yarns  vill  amuse  others.  There  is 
something  in  the  volumes  to  suit  readers  of  every  humour." — Athenoeum. 

"  The  humour  of  Sam  Sbck  is  inexhaustible.  He  is  ever  and  everywhere  a 
welcome  visitor ;  smiles  greet  his  approach,  and  wit  and  wisdom  hang  upon  his 
tongue.  The  present  is  altogether  a  most  edifying  production,  remarkable  alike 
for  its  racy  humour,  its  sound  philosophy,  the  felicity  of  its  illustrations,  and  the 
delicacy  of  its  satire.  Whether  he  is  making  love  to  Sophy,  or  chatting  with  the 
President  about  English  men  and  manners,  or  telling  ghost  stories,  or  indulging  in 
day-dreams,  or  sketching  the  characters  of  Yankee  skippers,  or  poaching  in  our 
fisheries,  or  enticing  a  British  man-of-war  on  to  a  sand-bar,  he  is  equally  delightful ; 
charming  us  by  the  graphic  vivacity  and  picturesque  quaintness  of  his  descriptions, 
and,  above  all,  by  his  straightforward  honesty  and  truth.  We  promise  our 
readers  a  great  treat  from  the  perusal  of  these  '  Wise  Saws  and  Modern  Instances,' 
which  contain  a  world  of  practical  wisdom,  and  a  treasury  of  the  lichest  fun." — 
Morning  Post. 

"  As  a  work  embodying  the  cynicism  of  Rochcfoucault,  with  the  acuteness  of 
Pascal,  and  the  experience  of  Theophrastus  or  La  Bruyere,  it  may  be  said  that, 
except  Don  Quixote,  the  present  work  has  no  rival." — Observer. 


TRAITS  OF  AMERICAN  HUMOUR. 

EDITED  BY"  THE  AUTHOR  OP  "  SAM  SLICK."    3  vols.  31s.  6d. 

"We  have  seldom  met  with  a  work  more  rich  in  fun  or  more  generally 
delightful."— 5^aMr/ar£/. 

"  No  man  has  done  more  than  the  facetious  Judge  Haliburton,  through  the 
mouth  of  the  inimitable  '  Sam,'  to  make  the  old  parent  country  recognise  and 
appreciate  her  queer  transatlantic  progeny.  His  present  collection  of  comic 
stories  and  laughable  traits  is  a  budget  of  fun  full  of  rich  specimens  of  American 
humour." —  Globe. 


WORKS    OF    FICTION.  21 


TLORENCE,    THE    BEAUTIFUL. 

BY  A.  BAILLIU  COCHRANE,  ESQ.    2  vols. 


THE      ROSES. 


BY  THE  AUTHOR  OF  "  THE  FLIRT,"  &c.    3  vols. 

"  The  'author  of  '  The  Flirt'  is  ever  welcome  as  a  ■writer.  '  The  Roses'  is  a 
novel  which  cannot  fail  to  charm." — Observer. 

"  '  The  Roses'  displays,  with  the  polish  always  attending  a  later  work,  all  the 
talent  which  appeared  in  '  The  Flirt,'  and  '  The  Manoeuvring  Mother.'  It  is  a 
book  which  no  one  would  lay  down  unfinished." — Standard. 

"  In  this  charming  novel  the  author  has  brought  out  the  female  character  in 
three  well-chosen  contrasts.  The  whole  tale  is  a  history  of  sweet  and  tender 
hearts  to  which  the  reader  cannot  refuse  his  sympathy." — John  Bull. 


ELECTM :  A  STORY  OE  MODERN  TIMES. 

BY     THE     AUTHOR     OF     "  ROCKI]SrGHAM." 

WITH    ILLUSTRATIONS    BY  LORD    GERALD   FITZGERALD.      SECOND    EDITION.     3  V. 

From  the  Times. — "  The  author  of  '  Rockingham'  holds  always  a  vigorous 
pen.  It  is  impossible  to  deny  him  the  happy  faculty  of  telling  a  pleasing  story 
with  ability  and  power.  His  characters  are  the  flesh  and  blood  we  meet  in  our 
daily  walks ;  their  language  is  natural,  appropriate,  and  to  the  purpose.  We  are 
bound  to  extend  our  highest  praise  to  the  skill  with  which  the  several  characters 
in  '  Electra'  are  pourtrayed,  and  with  which  the  interest  of  the  story  is  sustained 
to  the  very  last  chapter.  Lady  Glenarlowe  and  her  daughter,  Lord  Glenarlowe 
and  Electra,  are  all  finelv-drawn  pictures,  and  are  fidl  of  touches  by  a  master 
hand." 


AILIEFORD:    A  FAMILY  HISTORY. 

BY  THE  AUTHOR   OF    "  JOHN   DRAYTON."  3  v. 

"  A  work  abounding  in  fascination  of  an  irresistible  kind." — Observer, 
"  A  most  charming  and  absorbing  story." — Critic. 
"  The  book  throughout  excites  the  interest  of  reality." — Spectator. 
"  '  Ailieford'  is  the  biography  of  the  clever  writer  of  '  John  Drayton.'     It  is 
a  deeply  interesting  tale." — Britannia. 


CHARLES    A  U  CHESTER. 

DEDICATED  TO  THE  RIGHT  HON.  B.  DISRAELI.       3  VOls. 

"  The  author  has  originality  and  a  strong  imagination." — Times. 

"  Music  has  never  had  so  glowing  an  advocate  as  the  author  of  these  volumes. 
There  is  an  amazing  deal  of  ability  displayed  in  them." — Herald. 

"  The  life  of  an  enthusiast  in  music,  by  himself.  The  work  is  full  of  talent. 
The  sketches  of  the  masters  and  artists  are  life-like.  In  Seraphael  all  will  recog- 
nize Mendelssohn,  and  in  Miss  Benette,  Miss  Lawrence,  and  Anastase,  Berlioz, 
Jenny  Lind,  and  another  well-known  to  artist  life,  will  be  easily  detected.  To 
every  one  who  cares  for  music,  the  volumes  will  prove  a  delightful  study." — 
Britannia, 


22  HURST   AND    BLACKETT's   NEW    PUBLICATIONS. 


H  A  Ti  R  Y     M  U  I  R; 

A     STORY     OF     SCOTTISH     LIFE. 

BY    THE    AUTHOR    OF    "MARGARET   MAITLAND." 
Second  Editiox.     3  vols,  post  8vo. 

"  We  prefer  '  Harry  Muir'  to  most  of  the  Scottish  novels  that  have  appeared 
since  Gait's  domestic  stories.  This  nevv  tale,  by  the  author  of  '  Margaret  Maitland,' 
is  a  real  picture  of  the  weakness  of  man's  nature  and  the  depths  of  woman's  kind- 
ness. The  narrative,  to  repeat  our  praise,  is  not  one  to  be  entered  on  or  parted 
from  without  our  regard  for  its  writer  being  increased." — AthentBum. 

"  A  picture  of  life,  everywhere  genuine  in  feeling,  perfect  in  expression." — 
Examiner. 

"  This  is  incomparably  the  best  of  the  author's  works.  In  it  the  brilliant 
promise  afforded  by  '  Margaret  Maitland'  has  been  fully  realised,  and  now  there 
can  be  no  question  that,  for  graphic  pictures  of  Scottish  life,  the  author  is 
entitled  to  be  ranked  second  to  none  among  modern  writers  of  fiction." — Cale- 
donian Mercury. 

BY   THE    SAME   AUTHOR. 


ADAM    GRAEME 

OF  MOSSGRAY. 

Second  Edition.     3  vols. 

"  A  story  awakening  genuine  emotions  of 
interest  and  delight  by  its  admirable  pictures 
of  Scottish  life  and  scenery." — Post. 


CALEB  FIELD. 

A   TALE    OF  THE    PURITANS. 

Cheaper,  Edition.  1  v.  Gs. 

"  This  beautiful  production  is  every  way 
worthy  of  its  author's  reputation  in  the 
very  first  ranlv  of  contemporary  writers." — 
Standard. 


MMEN;    OR,  THE  MERCHAA'T  PRINCE. 

BY  ELIOT    "WARBURTOIJ.    Second  Edition.   3  vols. 

"  The  scheme  for  the  colonization  of  Darien  by  Scotchmen,  and  the  opening 
of  a  communication  between  the  East  and  West  across  the  Isthmus  of  Panama, 
furnishes  the  foundation  of  this  story,  which  is  in  all  respects  worthy  of  the 
high  reputation  which  the  author  of  the  '  Crescent  and  the  Cross'  had  already 
made  for  himself.  The  early  history  of  the  Merchant  Prince  introduces  the 
reader  to  the  condition  of  Spain  under  the  Inquisition ;  the  portraitures  of 
Scottish  life  which  occupy  a  prominent  place  in  the  narrative,  are  full  of  spirit ; 
the  scenes  in  America  exhibit  the  state  of  the  natives  of  the  new  world  at  that 
period ;  the  daring  deeds  of  the  Buccaneers  supply  a  most  romantic  element  in 
the  story ;  and  an  additional  interest  is  infused  into  it  by  the  introduction  of 
various  celebrated  characters  of  the  period,  such  as  Law,  the  French  financier, 
and  Paterson,  the  founder  of  the  Bank  of  England.  All  these  varied  ingredients 
are  treated  with  that  brilliancy  of  style  and  powerful  descriptive  talent,  by  which 
the  pen  of  Eliot  Warburton  was  so  eminently  distinguished." — John  Bull. 


THE   EIRST    LIEUTENANT'S    STORY. 

BY  LADY   CATHARIJME   LONG.     3  vols. 
"  As  a  tracing  of  the  workings  of  human  passion  and  principle,  the  book  is  full 
of  exquisite  beauty,  delicacy,  and  tenderness." — Daily  News. 


WORKS    OF   FICTION. 


23 


BEG-INALD     LYLE. 

BY  MISS  PARDOE.     3  v. 

HIGH  AND  LOW; 

OR,  LIFE'S  CHANCES  AND  CHANGES. 
BY  THE  HON.  HENRY  COKE.  3  v. 

THE  YOUNG  HEIHESS. 

BY  MRS.  TROLLOPE.     3  v. 
"  The  knowledge  of  the  world  which  Mrs- 
TroUope  possesses  in  so  eminent  a  degree  is 
strongly    exhibited   in    the    pages    of   this 
novel." — Observer. 

The  DEAN'S  DAUGHTER, 

OR,  THE   DAYS   WE   LIVE  IN. 

BY  MRS.  GORE.  3  v. 

"  One  of  the  best  of  Mrs.  Gore's  stories. 
The  volumes  are  strewed  with  smart  and 
sparkling  epigram." — Morning  Chronicle. 

CASTLE    AVON. 

By  the  Author  of 

"  EMILIA  WYNDHAM,"  &c.   3  r. 
"One  of  the  most  successful  of  the  au- 
thor's works." — Post. 

L  AD  Y    MARION. 

BY  MRS.  \Y.  FOSTER.  3  v. 

"  This  fascinating  novel  needs  not  the 
attraction  of  the  name  of  the  late  Duke  of 
Wellington's  niece  upon  the  title-page  to 
commend  it  to  the  novel  readers  of  the 
fashionable  world.  The  work  gives  evidence 
of  talent  of  no  common  order." — John  Bull. 

THE     LONGWOODS 
OE   THE   GRANGE. 


By  the  Author  of 
"ADELAIDE  LINDSAY.^ 


3  V. 


"  'The  Longwoods'  are  a  fiimily  gi-oup,  in 
the  story  of  whose  life  romance  readers  will 
find  a  charm  and  an  interest  similar  to  that 
which  attends  the  annals  of  the  '  Vicar  of 
Wakefield.'  "—Daily  Netvs. 

UNCLE    WALTER. 
BY  MRS.  TROLLOPE,  3  v, 

'"Uncle  Walter'  is  an  exceedingly  enter- 
taining novel.  It  assures  Mrs.  TroUope  more 
than  ever  in  her  position  as  one  of  the  ablest 
fiction  writers  of  the  day." — Morning  Post. 


ALICE    WENTWORTH. 

3v. 
"A  novel  of  exciting  interest." — Post. 

THE  KINNEARS. 

A   SCOTTISH    STORY.     3  v. 

"  We  heartily  commend  this  story  to  the 
attention  of  our  readers  for  its  powei-,  sim- 
plicity, and  truth.  None  can  read  its  impres- 
sive record  without  interest,  and  few  without 
improvement."— Jl/orai?!^  Post. 

BROOMHILL ; 

OR,   THE    COUNTY   BEAUTIES. 

"  '  Broomhill'  is  a  tale  of  life  in  polite 
society.  The  dialogue  is  easy — the  interest 
is  well  sustained." — Athenceum. 

MARY  SEAHAM. 

BY  MRS.  GREY, 

Author  of  "  The  Gambler's  Wife."  3  v. 

"  Equal  to  any  former  novel  by  its  author." 
— Athenceum. 

ANNETTE.    A  Tale. 

BY  W.  F.  DEACON. 

With  a  Memoir  of  the  Author,  by  the 

Hon.  Sir  T.  N.  Talfourd,  D.C.L.    3  v. 

"'Annette'  is  a  stirring  tale.  The 
prefatory  memoir  by  Sir  Thomas  Talfourd 
would  be  at  all  times  interesting,  nor  the  less 
so  for  containing  two  long  letters  from  Sir 
Walter  Scott  to  Mr.  Deacon,  full  of  gentle 
far- thinking  wisdom." — Examiner. 

CONFESSIONS  OP  AN 

ETONIAN. 

BY   C.    ROWCROFT,    ESQ.    3  v. 

"The  life  of  an  Etonian — his  pranks,  his 
follies,  his  loves,  his  fortunes,  and  misfor- 
tunes— is  here  amusingly  drawn  and  happily 
coloured  by  an  .iccomplished  artist.  The 
work  is  full  of  anecdote  and  lively  painting 
of  men  and  manners." — Globe. 

THE  BELLE  OP  THE 
VILLAGE. 

Bv  the  Author  of 
"  The  Old  English  Gentleman."   3  v. 

"  An  admirable  story.  It  may  take  its 
place  by  the  side  of  'The  Old  English  Gen- 
tleman.'"—jToAw  Bull. 

The  LADY  and  the  PRIEST. 

BY  MRS.  MABERLY.     3  v. 


THE   ARMY   AND    NAVY. 


Published  on  the  1st  of  every  Month,  Price  3s.  6d. 

COLBUEN'S  UNITED  SERVICE  MAGAZINE, 

AND 

NAVAL  AND  MILITARY  JOURNAL. 


This  popular  periodical,  which  has  now  been  established  a  quarter  of 
a  century,  embraces  subjects  of  such  extensive  variety  and  powerful 
interest  as  must  render  it  scarcely  less  acceptable  to  readers  in  general 
than  to  the  members  of  those  professions  for  whose  use  it  is  more  par- 
ticularly intended.  Independently  of  a  succession  of  Original  Papers 
on  innumerable  intea-esting  subjects.  Personal  Narratives,  Historical 
Incidents,  Correspondence,  &c.,  each  number  comprises  Biographical 
Memoirs  of  Eminent  Officers  of  all  branches  of  service.  Reviews  of  New 
Publications,  either  immediately  relating  to  the  Army  or  Navy,  or  in- 
volving subjects  of  utility  or  interest  to  the  members  of  either.  Full 
Reports  of  Trials  by  Courts  Martial,  Distribution  of  the  Army  and  Navy, 
General  Orders,  Circulars,  Promotions,  Appointments,  Births,  Marriages, 
Obituary,  &c.,  with  all  the  Naval  and  Military  Intelligence  of  the  Month. 


"  This  is  confessedly  one  of  the  ablest  and  most  attractive  periodicals  of  which 
the  British  press  can  boast,  presenting  a  wide  field  of  entertainment  to  the 
general  as  well  as  professional  reader.  The  suggestions  for  the  benefit  of  the 
two  services  are  distinguished  by  vigour  of  sense,  acute  and  practical  observation, 
an  ardent  love  of  discipline,  tempered  by  a  high  sense  of  justice,  honour,  and  a 
tender  regard  for  the  welfare  and  comfort  of  our  soldiers  and  seamen." — Globe. 

"  At  the  head  of  those  periodicals  which  furnish  useful  and  valuable  information 
to  their  peculiar  classes  of  readers,  as  well  as  amusement  to  the  general  body  of 
the  pubhc,  must  be  placed  the  '  United  Service  Magazine,  and  Naval  and  Mihtary 
Journal.'  It  numbers  among  its  contributors  almost  all  those  gallant  spirits  who 
have  done  no  less  honour  to  their  country  by  their  swords  than  by  their  pens, 
and  abounds  with  the  most  interesting  discussions  on  naval  and  military  affairs, 
and  stirring  narratives  of  deeds  of  arms  in  all  parts  of  the  world.  Every  informa- 
tion of  value  and  interest  to  both  the  Services  is  culled  with  the  greatest  diligence 
from  every  available  source,  and  the  correspondence  of  various  distinguished 
officers  which  enrich  its  pages  is  a  feature  of  great  attraction.  In  short,  the 
'  United  Service  Magazine'  can  be  recommended  to  every  reader  who  possesses 
that  attachment  to  his  country  which  should  make  him  look  with  the  deepest 
interest  on  its  naval  and  military  resources." — Sun. 

"  This  truly  national  periodical  is  always  full  of  the  most  valuable  matter  for 
professional  men." — Morning  Herald. 

HURST   AND   BLACKETT,   PUBLISHERS, 

SUCCESSORS  TO  HENRY  COLBURN, 

13,    GKEAT    MARLBOROUGH     STREET. 

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